‘PM Modi Wants Youth Busy Making Reels, Not Asking Questions’

In an election rally in Bihar’s Aurangabad on November 4, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a blistering assault on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of deliberately distracting India’s youth from pressing issues like education, health, and employment. Gandhi claimed Modi preferred keeping young people “hypnotised by the glow of their mobile screens” rather than empowering them to demand accountability.

Addressing a charged crowd, Gandhi alleged that Modi’s vision of youth empowerment was to keep them “busy making Instagram reels and Facebook videos,” diverting attention from systemic failures. “Modi wants you to get addicted to the new high — social media,” Gandhi declared, eliciting loud cheers. “He wants the youth so engrossed in reels that they forget to ask why there are no jobs, no good schools, no hospitals. This addiction is not accidental — it’s deliberate,” he charged, framing it as a calculated ploy to maintain power.

Gandhi extended his criticism to the ruling NDA, accusing Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of “vote chori” — vote theft — in Bihar. “The INDIA bloc, if entrusted with power, will form a government of the extremely backward, the marginalised, and the Dalits — one that listens to the last voice in society,” he vowed, positioning the opposition as champions of the underserved.

Turning to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Gandhi painted a grim picture of the state’s youth, reduced to “migrant labourers in their own land,” their aspirations stifled by a system favoring privilege over merit. “In Bihar, question paper leaks have become routine — they don’t test knowledge anymore, only the size of your wallet,” Gandhi said, blending sarcasm with sorrow to highlight educational corruption.

The rally, marked by political fervor and biting satire, reflected Gandhi’s strategy to galvanize voters ahead of the Bihar elections. By contrasting the NDA’s alleged distractions with the INDIA bloc’s promises, Gandhi aimed to awaken youth consciousness, urging them to reject superficial engagements for substantive change.

This speech underscores the deepening polarization in Indian politics, where social media is both a tool and a battleground. Gandhi’s rhetoric resonates with those frustrated by unemployment and inequality, potentially swaying undecided voters. Critics, however, argue it oversimplifies complex issues, while supporters see it as a rallying cry for justice.

As Bihar heads to the polls, Gandhi’s words echo the broader national discourse on youth empowerment versus manipulation. The rally was not just a speech but a call to action, challenging the status quo and envisioning a more inclusive future.