Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, resuming his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Siliguri on Sunday, called on the Bengal and Bengalis to spearhead the battle against prevailing injustices in the nation. Addressing a gathering at Air View More in Siliguri this evening, Mr Gandhi said: “West Bengal is totally different because Bengali people are intellectuals. Before Independence Bengali people like Rabindranath Tagore has shown the way to our country.

Coming to Bengal I was delighted as you welcomed me with love. I urge Bengal as well as the people here to show a new direction to the country which is imperative in the present situation.” Mr Gandhi came down heavily on the BJP government at the Centre for allegedly fomenting hatred and violence while prioritizing corporate interests over those of the poor and the youth. He also attacked the Central government on the issue of recruitment to the Army under the Agniveer scheme.

“The Centre is depriving 75 per cent youths after recruiting them as Agniveer, who have decided to dedicate themselves to protect the country,” he said. Citing examples, he said: “It is the Central government’s responsibility to protect and provide them all facilities when defence personnel sacrifice in the interests of the country. But this country has created two types of martyrs. Are there two types of martyrs?”

The Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived in Siliguri by flight. After taking rest here Mr Gandhi left for Jalpaiguri to lead the Nyay Yatra and arrived at Siliguri Police Station More around 5 pm and the yatra set off for Air View. Thousands of people assembled on either side of the road to see him as he was on an open jeep.

The road show took over 40 minutes to cover nearly 2.5 km. At the gathering at Air View, Mr Gandhi also described the reason behind his first Bharat Jodo Yatra, which was started from Kanyakumari and reached Kashmir, and why he has added an extra word Nyay for this second Yatra, keeping in mind the injustice inflicted on common people. “In India a mechanic cannot dream to set up an automobile industry.

An educated youth cannot expect a job due to unemployment problem. I have come here to listen to your valuable views to table it before the country,” he said.