The Congress has launched a platform to recruit people from across the country irrespective of age, gender, class, creed or caste. The nationwide campaign aims to recruit five lakh “social media warriors'' to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the digital space. The Party recognises that it is time for like-minded individuals in the country to come together and defend the idea of India. As a society, we must step up, unite and fight for our democratic, secular and just Republic of India. This huge recruitment drive will encompass appointments in all stages - from the state to the national level.

On the new social media recruitment drive, Congress leader Shri Rahul Gandhi strongly encouraged the youth of India to join the Congress party's "army of truth" to fight the trolls paid by the ruling party on digital platforms. In a video message on Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said, "The backbone of the attack on this nation is a troll army, thousands of people who spread hatred, anger and are paid to do so." He added that the paid troll army is spreading hatred and anger in India and the time has come to counter that. “As a young person, you could see what is going on… In your schools, universities and colleges you can see the oppression. You can see the attack on the idea of India. Look outside Delhi, you can see what is happening to the farmers. The backbone of this war on the nation is a troll army… We also need warriors to defend liberal values, to defend the ideas of compassion, peace, harmony and affection,” Rahul Gandhi said.

“This is an army of truth. This is an army that will defend the idea of India. We are building this platform for you. To give you tools to fight this battle and win,” he further explained.

Handles of the Congress Social Media have been one of the loudest voices against the tyrannical rule of the Modi regime. It has raised the people's voice on various issues - farmers, migrant workers, women's safety, student's education, the dismal state of our economy and the rising unemployment, our Armed Forces and more. Handles have countered the Modi government's lies and hateful propaganda and have shown the public the truth. 

The Congress seeks to build on this trajectory and continue this work by inviting more people to join in this mission to save India from hate and lies. This recruitment drive will take place in every state of the country and is open to anyone who wants to be a part of this mission. One can join through the website - [(www.incsmw.in)](https://www.incsmw.in)  or [(www.incsmwarriors.com)](https://incsmwarriors.com), call on the toll-free number 1800 1200 00044 or by WhatsApp on 7574000525.

Join the Congress Social Media, Be Part of an Army of Truth

Shri Rahul Gandhi kicked off the Indian National Congress party’s campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. He interacted with the people of Tamil Nadu for three days and visited various districts and events to truly understand the voice and the problems of the Tamilian people. 

The Congress leader and sitting Lok Sabha MP from Kerala's Wayanad, participated in roadshows at Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Poondurai, Perundurai and Uthukuli in Erode district, Dharapuram, Chinnadharapuram and Karur. He also interacted with representatives of the MSME sector in Tamil Nadu, with industrial labourers, the weaver community and the farmers of the state. Shri Rahul Gandhi listened to their plight and emphasised the importance of celebrating Tamil culture. Further, he paid floral tributes to India’s freedom fighters, Tiruppur Kumaran and Dheeran Chinnamalai.

**Interaction with MSME Representatives**

Shri Rahul Gandhi interacted with representatives of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in Kalapatti, Coimbatore where he heard the problems of the sector and how the BJP government has done nothing to help them. He stressed that the major economic policies of the current government like Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation broke the backbone of the economy and destroyed the MSME sector.

"A massive crippling blow delivered to the economy was demonetisation. It devastated small and medium industries because you are dependent on the cash flow," said Rahul Gandhi. Criticising the GST decision of the Modi government, he added, "It needs to be restructured, it needs to be conceptualised. The current regime imposes a huge load on smaller regional businesses. It is the commitment of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government that when we come to power, we will restructure the GST."

**Interaction with Industrial Labourers**

Listening to the plight of Tamil Nadu’s industrial labourers and understanding their problems, Shri Rahul Gandhi said, “We have an unemployment problem. The first thing we need to do is start the economic engine once again which is currently jammed. Also a linkage between our education system and business system is critical.” The former Congress President said that he has a special relationship with the state and is indebted to the people of Tamil Nadu for having a loving relationship with his grandmother and father, former Prime Ministers, Smt. Indira Gandhi & Shri Rajiv Gandhi.

Further, attacking the government on its policies that have weakened India’s economy, Rahul Gandhi said, “The foundation of economic growth in India is diversity. Without diversity in India, we would not have an economy. In fact, without diversity in India we would not have India. India itself is the idea of diversity.”

**Interaction with the Weaver community**

Attacking the government on several fronts, from economic slowdown to border issues, Shri Rahul Gandhi, in his interaction with the weavers community in Tamil Nadu, said that China would have never dared to come inside India had the labourers, farmers and weavers been strengthened, protected and given opportunities.

He also praised the handiwork of the weavers and said that the President of China would have worn clothes which were Made-in-India if the government had focused and laid out measures for them properly. 

Accusing PM Modi of wanting to control the people of Tamil Nadu, the Congress MP said, “Tamil Nadu used to be a manufacturing centre, an industrial centre, and that strength has been eliminated by the policies of Narendra Modi. He thinks that just as he can control and blackmail the state government, he can do the same to the people of this state. He did not realise that people cannot be controlled and they themselves decide their future.” 

“I have not come here to tell you what to do or tell you my Mann ki Baat, I have come here to listen to you, to understand your problems and try to help resolve them”, Shri Rahul Gandhi said.


**Shri Rahul Gandhi at the Farmers Convention**

Attacking the Centre over the three black farm laws passed with any debate on consultation, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed the farmers convention at Vangal district in Karur, Tamil Nadu. He said that the three laws were "criminal" and vowed to oppose them in the interest of the farmers across India. Shri Rahul Gandhi also interacted with the farmers and held a question and answer session. 

The laws are aimed to benefit "5-6 people closest" to PM Modi and that the PM wanted the farmers to negotiate with "huge corporates" instead of with small traders. "The result is going to be that millions of people who are employed by this agriculture system – farmers, labourers, loaders, small traders – all these people are going to be unemployed," Shri Rahul Gandhi said. "...they are trying to help 5-6 people closest to the Prime Minister and they are hurting the interest of millions and millions of farmers."

He charged the Central government with attacking the foundation of the country – labourers, workers, farmers and fishermen. "It is our duty to protect the interest of workers, farmers, fishermen and weavers," Gandhi said. While there was no shortage of money in the country, it was not being given to the poor and only used to waive off loans for the rich, he added.

Rahul Gandhi also attacked the Centre's earlier decisions of demonetisation and GST and asked the crowd how many benefitted from them. When nobody raised their hand, he said "The idea is to break the backbone of small and medium businesses, break the backbone of Indian farmers and to make Indian labourers slaves – all to make these five or six people happy."

**Roadshow and Rally Interactions**

Shri Rahul Gandhi in his various road shows and interactions with people, spoke of all the issues that the Modi Government has caused and how they’re trying to diminish the Tamil culture.

**India-China Standoff**

Stating that the Chinese would never have encroached on Indian land if our country’s economy had been strong, Rahul Gandhi said, "For the first time, the Indian people can see that Chinese troops have occupied Indian territory. As we speak today, thousands of Chinese troops are occupying our territory and the man with a 56-inch chest cannot even say the word China. That is the reality of our country."

**Emphasis on 'Tamil culture'**

While addressing the public meeting in Dharapuram, Shri Rahul Gandhi said, "Knickerwallahs from Nagpur can never ever decide future of the state. Doesn't matter how many parades they have. Tamil Nadu's future will be decided by the youngsters of Tamil Nadu."

"We will not allow Narendra Modi to destroy the foundation of India. He has also got another confusion- he thinks that just because he can blackmail the government of Tamil Nadu, he can control the people of Tamil Nadu. He does not understand that only the Tamil people can decide on the future of Tamil Nadu," Rahul Gandhi went on to say.

Shri Rahul Gandhi also said that he wanted to be a 'soldier of the Tamil people' in Delhi and claimed he would not allow the BJP to "disregard Tamil culture". His ties with Tamil Nadu are bonded by "love, affection and blood.”

"I understand, accept and respect the Tamil spirit and culture. I am not going to allow the Prime Minister and the BJP to disrespect the Tamil people no matter what.” During his roadshows, the Congress leader attacked the BJP for trying to put down Tamil Nadu to a 'second class place' by imposing one culture and one language on them.

**Farmers, GST, demonetization**

Among the key issues that Shri Rahul Gandhi highlighted in his speech, were the ongoing farmers' agitation against the three black laws introduced by the Centre, demonetization and GST. 

"Today, we have a Prime Minister who is trying to build a roof by destroying the foundation and the walls of the building. People around him are too scared to tell him about his own ignorance.," Rahul Gandhi alleged.

**Videos of Interactions with the Tamil People**

Shri Rahul Gandhi attends Jallikattu event in Madurai, Tamil Nadu 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxj7xSlvhO0)

Shri Rahul Gandhi addresses the media after the Jallikattu event in Tamil Nadu

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTk6cIv35os)

Shri Rahul Gandhi interacts with MSME representatives in Tamil Nadu

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbgLMhO5aC0)

Shri Rahul Gandhi participates in a roadshow in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhEBMh8KfGg)

Shri Rahul Gandhi addresses the public in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu during a roadshow

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yVhOrG_Pfo)

Shri Rahul Gandhi pays his humble respects to revolutionary freedom fighter Shri Tiruppur Kumaran

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciDPzS9pgHc)

Shri Rahul Gandhi interacts with Industrial Labourers in Tamil Nadu

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s74Dci2fhw)

Shri Rahul Gandhi addresses the public in Erode, Tamil Nadu during a roadshow

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Evo0XfgwMg)

Shri Rahul Gandhi interacts with Weaver Community in Tamil Nadu

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuKCmPmQHO0&t=4233s)

Shri Rahul Gandhi addresses a public meeting in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzaIS3lRD8Y)

Shri Rahul Gandhi addresses the public in Karur, Tamil Nadu during a roadshow

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9PO7HKQzQU)

Shri Rahul Gandhi addresses a public meeting in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKJGl_d8QSI)

Shri Rahul Gandhi addresses the Farmers Convention in Karur, Tamil Nadu

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDpByIyP41A)





Shri Rahul Gandhi Interacts with the People of Tamil Nadu

Tens of thousands of farmers have been protesting against the three black agricultural laws imposed upon them by the BJP government. They have been camping out on the outskirts of Delhi for nearly two months, in the bitter cold, without any respite from the Centre. With at least ten rounds of talks between the government and farmers' groups, the government has failed to listen to the farmers plight and resolve the deadlock. 

Thousands of farmers along with the Indian National Congress Party have stuck to their main demand for the repealing of the new laws, while the government has refused to do so. To further empower the farmers and highlight their voice, Congress leader Shri Rahul Gandhi held a press conference yesterday. Speaking up against these three black laws since the beginning, the Congress MP told the press that the Central government's new farm laws have been designed to 'destroy' Indian agriculture. Rahul Gandhi also released a booklet titled ‘Kheti ka khoon, Teen Kalle Kanoon’ highlighting the plight of the farmers under the Modi government.'

Shri Rahul Gandhi said, “There is a tragedy unfolding in our country today. Government wants to ignore this tragedy. It wants to misinform people about this tragedy, but, the truth is that a huge tragedy is unfolding. I am not just talking about the farmers, because that is only a part of that tragedy. I would like to go into a little bit of detail about what is happening to our country and I think, it is important that youngsters, who believe in the future of this country, listen carefully to what I am saying, because this is not about the present, what is happening is about your future and this country’s ability to be economically strong, this country’s ability to give you a job, this country’s ability to stand tall among other nations.”

He further added, “What we are seeing, and we have seen it in industry after industry after industry, we have seen it in, when it comes to the airports; we have seen it, when it comes to infrastructure, we have seen it, when it comes to power, we have seen it, when it comes to telecom, we have seen it, when it comes to retail, across the board. What we are watching is the development of massive monopolies in this country. What do I mean, I mean that 3-4-5 people are now owning this country. This country is now owned by a limited small group of people, who, I term as crony capitalists, who have a close relationship with the Prime Minister and who provide the Prime Minister with Media support and I don’t mean you because you are not the decision makers, I mean the forces that control you.”

“Which was the space that was protected from monopolies until now? First of all, the biggest business in the country and this is something that youngsters have to understand, the biggest business in this country is agriculture. 60% of our people are in agriculture and in terms of the value; agriculture is by far the biggest hit. Agriculture is not just what the farm grows, agriculture is the machinery that moves that produce. Agriculture is the structure of how that produce is sold and now what we are seeing is the last basin that was protected from monopoly is now being overrun,” said Shri Rahul Gandhi emphasising the importance of agriculture. 

On the three new laws, the Congress leader added, “They are designed to destroy Indian agriculture. How have they designed to do it, by destroying the mandi, by destroying the Essential Commodities Act and by making sure that no Indian farmer can go to court to protect himself and to me, it is a tragedy that this entire country is just watching this ridiculous show. It is a tragedy because it shows me that the country itself is not able to understand the depth of what is happening. So, what is going to be the result of this-the result of this is going to be that 3 or 4 people are going to own India, 3 or 4 people are going to own the entire agricultural system. Farmers will not get the value they deserve. The mandi system will be destroyed. Three or four businessmen will be able to store millions and millions of tons of wheat, rice, other essential commodities and then my friends in the middle class – you will be paying prices, that you have never imagined.”

Stressing how the three laws will not only impact farmers but the middle class as well, Rahul Gandhi said, “Please, understand that the rice you buy, the wheat you buy, comes to you at the rate it comes because of the APMC, because of the agriculture system, because of the structure, so, this is not an assault on the farmers, this is an assault on the middle class and this is an assault on every single youngster in this country, who is not going to be able to get a job. So, this is what I want to tell the youngsters. Realize that your independence is being taken away. Realize that this happened before and we fought this and everything we have today, it is because of the fight that we fought and the same exact thing is happening to India today. This is the simplest way I can put it.”

Extending the support of the Party and himself, Rahul Gandhi said, “So, why are the farmers of Punjab and the farmers of Haryana standing there? Who are they? They are the patriots of this country, who are protecting the livelihood of 60% of this country. I 100% support them and I go further, every single Indian person should support them because they are fighting for us, they are not fighting for themselves. They are fighting to prevent this country from falling it to the hands of 2 or 3 people, that is the heart of what I wanted to say.”

Please find the booklet ‘Kheti ka khoon, Teen Kalle Kanoon’ 
[*Here*](https://inc.in/media/press-releases/booklet-released-by-rahul-gandhi-explains-why-the-three-black-agricultural-laws-are-anti-farmer)  


Shri Rahul Gandhi Speaks for Farmers; Releases Booklet Explaining Issues of the 3 Black Laws

In the middle of a pandemic, with the economy in an official recession, the ruling government has increased the prices of fuel, taking them to the highest ever point in the past 73 years! 

The BJP government has relentlessly been increasing the price of fuel in India, despite the current pandemic stricken economy and high levels of unemployment. In Delhi, petrol now costs ₹84.70 per litre and diesel costs ₹74.88. In Mumbai, petrol is priced at ₹91.32 a litre and diesel at ₹81.60. This is the highest ever price of petrol in Delhi, while diesel is at record high in Mumbai.

These record-high fuel prices are only a result of the greed of the current Government. Congress President Sonia Gandhi, standing up for the common person, attacked the Modi government over the ongoing farmer agitation and the hike in fuel prices. She said the country is today standing at the crossroads for the first time since Independence.

Speaking about the hike in fuel prices, Shri Sonia Gandhi accused the government of profiteering and said it is turning a disaster into an opportunity to earn money. She also alleged that the government is breaking the back of the poor, the farmers, and the middle class due to its insensitivity.

"I demand from the government that the rates of excise duty on petrol and diesel be made similar to that during the UPA regime and provide immediate relief to the affected people. I once again appeal to the government to repeal the three farm laws immediately and fulfil all the demands of farmers," she said.

Always speaking for the people, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also accused the BJP of "looting" the people by levying heavy taxes on fuel and said that this is the reason it is not bringing them under the purview of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

"There has been unprecedented "development" in prices of petrol and diesel. The Modi government is looting the public by charging heavy taxes on fuel. This is the reason why the government is not willing to bring petrol-diesel under GST," he said in a tweet.

Sonia Gandhi further said that while the price of crude oil is USD 50.96 per barrel, only ₹23.43 per litre, diesel is being sold for ₹74.38 and petrol at ₹84.20 per litre in Delhi. This is the highest price of fuel in the last 73 years. 

"The country is standing at the crossroads today for the first time in the history of independent India. On one hand, the country's "annadata" is standing on the borders of Delhi for the last 44 days in support of their legitimate demands, while the country's autocratic, insensitive and ruthless BJP government is busy breaking the back of the poor, farmers and middle class," she said in a statement.

The Congress President said that despite lower international prices, the government has broken all records of profiteering by raising taxes and not letting the people enjoy the reduced international prices.

In the last six-and-a-half years, the Modi government has increased excise duty to recover about ₹ 19,00,000 crore from the pockets of common people, she said.

These are the actions and the insensitivity of the BJP government that the Congress is striving to fight against.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi Attacks Centre on Skyrocketing Fuel Prices

The Indian National Congress Party has always been fighting for the rights of farmers and working to empower them. Even today, INC is standing with the farmers, shoulder-to-shoulder, who are protesting against the three black laws unconstitutionally passed by the BJP government - the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Service Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

While the BJP government relentlessly fights against the farmers, calling them “Khalistani,” refusing to repeal the 3 black laws or even acknowledging the death of a large number of hardworking farmers in the protest, the Congress government has sworn to stand by our Annadatas. 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also vigorously backed the farmers who are protesting against the contentious farm laws brought by the Centre. He said, “No government in the world can stop farmers fighting the battle of truth. The Modi government will have to agree to their demands & take back the ‘black laws.’

**Major Issues with the 3 Bills - **

1. Abolishing the system of Grain Market-Vegetable Market i.e. APMC will totally destroy the ‘Agriculture Produce Procurement System’. 

a. In such a scenario, the farmers will neither get the ‘Minimum Support Price’ (MSP) nor the price of their crop as per the market price. 

3. Farmers get remunerative prices for their produce near their agricultural fields at grain market-vegetable market through community organisation of farmers and mutual competition among the customers in the markets. In the market, predetermined ‘Minimum Support Price’ (MSP) is the benchmark to decide the price of agriculture produce. This is the only measure for the ‘Price Discovery’ i.e. price determination for the farmer’s produce on the community basis. Grain-Vegetable Market System is the guarantee of fair prices, accurate weight and sale of farmer’s produce. 

a. If the farmer’s crop instead of being sold in the market on Community Purchase basis, is purchased at the agriculture field itself, in that case the farmer will lose the power of price determination, weight and bargaining for prices. Thus, the farmer will suffer the losses. 

3. The Modi Government’s claim, that now the farmer can sell his produce anywhere in the country, is a white lie. Even today, the farmer can sell his produce in any state. 

a. As far the agriculture census 2015-16, 86 per cent of farmers in the country own less than 5 acres of land. Average land holding is 2 acres or less than that. 

b. In such a situation, 86 percent of farmers cannot transport or ferry their farm produce to other places, but have to sell at the nearest grain market-vegetable market. In the event of the Mandi System getting abolished, it will lead to a huge blow for farmers.

4. The abolition of the Mandi System shall snatch away the means of bread and butter and livelihood of the millions of labourers, commission agents, loaders, transporters, sellers etc. 

5. Scrapping the Grain-Vegetable Market System will diminish the source of income of the states. 

a. States through its earning from ‘Market Fees’ and ‘Rural Development Fund’ undertake infrastructure development in rural areas and incentivise agriculture.

6. Agriculture experts believe that under the garb of the ordinance, the Modi Government actually intends to implement the ‘Shanta Kumar Committee Report’ so that the Government is not compelled to make procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) through FCI and thereby save an amount of around Rs. 1 lakh crores annually. This will directly lead to an adverse effect on the agriculture sector. 

7. Through this ordinance, there is an intention to render the farmer merely a labourer in their own lands by getting him entangled in the contract system. Does a poor farmer with 2-5 acres of land holding will be able to frame, understand and sign a sale-purchase contract with big companies? 

8. Totally lifting the stock limit on the agriculture produce, consumable items and fruit-flower-vegetables shall neither benefit farmers nor the consumer. It will only benefit a handful of people indulging in hoarding and black marketing. They will be able to purchase at cheaper prices and then sell at higher prices after holding the stocks of these items legally, 

9. In the ordinances, there is neither any provision for the protection of labourers rights nor for the protection of the rights of the persons, who are engaged in agriculture taking land on rent or on produce sharing basis. 
 
10. These three ordinances are the direct attack on the federal structure of the country. ‘Agriculture and Mandis’ come under the purview of the State Governments under the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, but the Modi Government didn’t take the state Governments in confidence on this issue. 
 
**Main demands of the Congress Party**
Congress demands that Modi ji should stop cheating and conspiring against our farmers and leave ego and prejudice aside. The government must talk to our annadatas directly, with an open mind to end these three anti-farmer black laws. 

**Demands of the Congress Party - **

1. The government should revoke these laws, call a session of Parliament and discuss whether they want to bring reforms. If they are working in the interest of the farmers, then they will welcome this.

2. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, should immediately declare to suspend the three anti-farming black laws.

3. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi himself, who publicly in Mann ki Baat said that these three black laws are right, and the Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar, for calling farmers terrorists should apologize.

4. Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi himself should speak to the delegation of the millions of farmers who are sitting around Delhi.

5. Announce the immediate withdrawal of 12 thousand FIRs vis-a-vis burning of stubble against farmers without any condition.

6. If they want to improve these laws, then they should bring a fourth law, make MSP mandatory and make it punishable if someone does not adhere to MSP.

The BJP government should finally show empathy towards our annadatas, repeal the three laws and provide legal guarantee of MSP to farmers, the same way they have provided services to their suit-boot friends.


In Focus

Join the Congress Social Media, Be Part of an Army of Truth

Join the Congress Social Media, Be Part of an Army of Truth

Shri Rahul Gandhi Interacts with the People of Tamil Nadu

Shri Rahul Gandhi Speaks for Farmers; Releases Booklet Explaining Issues of the 3 Black Laws

Congress President Sonia Gandhi Attacks Centre on Skyrocketing Fuel Prices

Congress Fights Alongside Farmers; Demands Repeal of 3 Black Laws

Smt. Sonia Gandhi Writes Letters to PM Modi Amid Covid-19

Defaming the Indian Economy

Dilli Ke Dil Ki Baat Congress Ke Saath

From Mein Führer to Mein Fakir

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