According to a report by The Indian Express, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting with leaders and workers of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Seva Dal at the Congress headquarters. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, general secretary in charge of organisation K.C. Venugopal, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib and NSUI president Vinod Jakhar were also present.
Gandhi emphasised that the Congress had not sought credit for the work it had done in the country over several decades. He told young leaders that they should not expect recognition or credit for their contributions within the organisation if the party itself had not pursued such recognition for its longstanding work.
‘Police Excesses and Hardships Will Make Us Stronger’
According to a leader present at the meeting, Rahul Gandhi referred to the hardships faced by party workers and alleged police excesses during recent protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He said these experiences would make Congress workers stronger.
Gandhi also said that a broken leg should not be viewed merely as a medical emergency but should also be carried in one’s heart as a symbol of honour.
While discussing the importance of working within the organisation, Gandhi said bodies such as the Youth Congress and NSUI teach leadership, discipline, sacrifice, the ability to withstand difficulties and the courage to stand up for what is right. He urged young leaders to make the most of the opportunity, learn, progress and prepare themselves for greater responsibilities in the future.
The remarks come against the backdrop of reported resentment among some NSUI leaders over the prominence given to Neha Bora during an opposition march to the Supreme Court on October 12. According to the report, the party leadership arranged for Bora to travel on the same bus as members of the Gandhi family and other senior leaders during the march held on Monday. The decision reportedly did not go down well with some leaders within the organisation.
Some party leaders have also questioned the trend of leaders associated with left-wing student organisations joining the Congress to advance their political careers. Others have raised concerns about the strategy of strengthening ties with an ideology whose electoral influence has declined sharply over the past two decades.
Their argument is that the Congress has been attempting during this period to attract conservative Hindu voters who are not yet firmly committed to any political party. The prominence given to leaders from left-wing student organisations has therefore prompted questions among some party members about the direction of this strategy.
Priyanka Gandhi Advises Young Leaders on Responsibility
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also addressed the young leaders at the meeting, reminding them of the responsibilities that come with representing the organisation. According to the report, she said the work, conduct and behaviour of leaders reflect the values of the organisation they represent.
Describing young leaders as the strength and future of the Congress, she said even the party’s senior leadership draws strength from them. She reminded them that they represent not only themselves but the entire party and must remain conscious of the responsibility that comes with that role.
Following the meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said young people in India had always played a leading role in determining the country’s political direction.
In a post on the social media platform X, Kharge said the Congress’s youth and frontal organisations were committed to holding accountable a government that works against the interests of young people, protecting democratic rights and maintaining the credibility of institutions. He added that the courage and conviction of these organisations strengthened the party’s resolve to defend Indian democracy.
The meeting brought the Congress leadership’s message on organisational discipline, responsibility and political commitment into focus, as reported differences over the role of Neha Bora highlighted tensions among some leaders within the party’s student and youth organisations.
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