27.9.11

Rahul baba in Kashmir



Rahul Gandhi @ the University of Kashmir
From invoking his Kashmiri roots to relating his personal ordeal and projecting himself as a terror victim, Rahul used all his tools to connect with the young Kashmir students at the university. Around 2,500 students snubbed Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani and came in hoardes to listen to the Gandhi scion at the same place where a few months ago religious zealots forced the cancellation of a fund-raising cultural show — Ilham. Geelani had called on students not to participate in any youth Congress membership drive in the university."This is a special day ….I am a Kashmiri, as most of you know," Rahul told the cheering crowd.The Congress leader then referred to remarks of University officials who said he was one of the youngest parliamentarians in the country. "Unfortunately that is not the case. I joined parliament seven years ago. I am not middle aged but almost middle aged," he said. During the tete a tete, he told the students they were much younger to him. "I am 40 and you are 20. It is not a small difference," Rahul said. Rahul poured his heart out to reach out to the students. He minced no words while describing his life as a child who lost his grandmother and father in quick succession."I was 14 when my grandmother Indira Gandhi was killed and that was the single biggest incident that shook me up. I remember the day when I was in the classroom studying geography and a woman helper came to me and asked me to come back. I was later told that my grandmother has been shot dead. It shattered my inner core," he said. If Rahul could invoke his personal tragedy, can Kashmiri students remain far behind? A student in the audience also revealed the tragic story about his father's death. "I lost my father when I was only nine," he remarked while Rahul listened with rapt attention. Another student was candid enough to raise the issue of harassment of Kashmiris in other states. "Why are Kashmiri students being harassed outside," the student asked. Another student asked Rahul why MNCs are reluctant to invest in Kashmir. Students were enthused to meet the Congress leader despite the tight security checks. "I was waiting since morning for Rahul Ji to come," a student said.

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