Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi told students in Chennai on Saturday that they should stand up for their beliefs without fear, even as Delhi witnessed mass detentions and heavy security during protests demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner. The Congress leader was in the city for a student outreach event and also held a private meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
Private meeting with Vijay
Gandhi arrived at Chennai airport around 12.30 pm on Saturday and drove to Vijay's residence at Neelankarai, where the two leaders held a private meeting lasting more than an hour. The leaders later left together in the same car for a restaurant in Palavakkam, where they had a meal, ETV Bharat reported. Details of their conversation were not made public, but the joint appearance drew attention amid evolving political equations in the state.
Sixth student interaction
In the evening, Gandhi addressed the 'Voice of Students' (Maanavargalin Kural / Chhatron Ki Goonj) programme at Island Grounds near Marina Beach. Organisers said more than one lakh students had registered for the event, though entry to the main interaction was restricted to about 10,000 students issued identification cards. The discussion centred on examination irregularities, paper leaks, the NEET examination, rising tuition costs and unemployment. This was Gandhi's sixth such student interaction under the initiative, following similar programmes in Kota, Pune, Nashik and Indore.
Remarks on Delhi protests
Referring to the Delhi protests, Gandhi alleged that the Prime Minister was attempting to silence dissenting voices through large-scale detentions and an internet shutdown, The Hindu reported. Urging protesting students across the country not to fear, he said those who had "destroyed Indian democracy" would be brought to justice. During the interaction he also met Maniratnam, the brother of NEET victim Anitha.
The visit came a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Tamil Nadu visit for the Chennai Metro Phase 2 inauguration.
Sources:
The Hindu: "Don't be afraid, stand up for what you believe in, Rahul tells agitating students"
The Indian Express: "Rahul Gandhi Meets CM Vijay in Chennai Before PM Modi's Metro Ride Visit"
Private meeting with Vijay
Gandhi arrived at Chennai airport around 12.30 pm on Saturday and drove to Vijay's residence at Neelankarai, where the two leaders held a private meeting lasting more than an hour. The leaders later left together in the same car for a restaurant in Palavakkam, where they had a meal, ETV Bharat reported. Details of their conversation were not made public, but the joint appearance drew attention amid evolving political equations in the state.
Sixth student interaction
In the evening, Gandhi addressed the 'Voice of Students' (Maanavargalin Kural / Chhatron Ki Goonj) programme at Island Grounds near Marina Beach. Organisers said more than one lakh students had registered for the event, though entry to the main interaction was restricted to about 10,000 students issued identification cards. The discussion centred on examination irregularities, paper leaks, the NEET examination, rising tuition costs and unemployment. This was Gandhi's sixth such student interaction under the initiative, following similar programmes in Kota, Pune, Nashik and Indore.
Remarks on Delhi protests
Referring to the Delhi protests, Gandhi alleged that the Prime Minister was attempting to silence dissenting voices through large-scale detentions and an internet shutdown, The Hindu reported. Urging protesting students across the country not to fear, he said those who had "destroyed Indian democracy" would be brought to justice. During the interaction he also met Maniratnam, the brother of NEET victim Anitha.
The visit came a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Tamil Nadu visit for the Chennai Metro Phase 2 inauguration.
Sources:
The Hindu: "Don't be afraid, stand up for what you believe in, Rahul tells agitating students"
The Indian Express: "Rahul Gandhi Meets CM Vijay in Chennai Before PM Modi's Metro Ride Visit"