Rahul Gandhi addresses youth unemployment at Prayagraj event

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed a large gathering of students and competitive examination aspirants in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday, August 8, 2026, delivering a speech focused on youth unemployment, data privacy, and economic inequality. Speaking at the "Chhatron Ki Goonj" event at KP Ground, Gandhi framed the discussion around three themes: "dard" (pain), "data," and "daulat" (wealth).

Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, asserted that India's approximately 400 million young people represent the nation's greatest strength, surpassing the potential of the United States, China, and Russia. He argued that this demographic advantage is being undermined by a system that fails to provide opportunities. "You are the power and pride of India," he told the crowd, which gathered despite waterlogging and muddy conditions at the venue.

A central theme of his address was the closure of what he described as the five traditional pathways to employment for Indian youth. He cited a decline in manufacturing, difficulties for startups in securing bank loans, corruption and paper leaks in government recruitment exams, the privatization of public sector jobs, and...