Indore, Madhya Pradesh — Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday told a massive gathering of young people that India's institutional system is deliberately engineered to discourage questioning and instead produce unquestioning followers, what he described as "blind devotion."
Speaking at the fifth edition of Chhatron Ki Goonj (Students' Echo) at the IDA Ground here, Gandhi addressed roughly 20,000 to 25,000 youths aged between 15 and 29. He spoke for nearly an hour on the theme "System vs Students," outlining what he called a deep crisis of confidence between young Indians and the country's political, educational, and social institutions.
Gandhi argued that the prevailing system does not encourage students to ask difficult questions or challenge established narratives. Instead, he said, it rewards conformity and silence, thereby manufacturing what he called blind religious and ideological adherents who follow instructions without critical reflection.
"The system does not want students to ask questions. That is why it produces blind devotees," Gandhi told the audience. He added that trust between students and the system has been seriously eroded, though he acknowledged that some political candidates also share responsibility for this disconnect.
During the question-and-answer segment of the event, the mood turned pointed. When respondents asked Gandhi about the relationship between youth and the system, one student responded bluntly: "Sir, we have lost to the system."
The gathering underscored the political significance of India's youth demographic. Approximately 36.74 crore young people in the 15-to-29 age group currently live in India, accounting for roughly 26 per cent of the total voting population ahead of the 2029 general elections. Political analysts say this cohort could prove decisive in determining the outcome of the next Lok Sabha polls.
Gandhi's speech at the IDA Ground — one of Indore's larger open venues — drew a visibly engaged crowd, many of whom had travelled from surrounding districts. The Chhatron Ki Goonj series, initiated by the Congress party, has been held in multiple cities across India with the aim of connecting directly with younger voters outside traditional party rally formats.
The event concluded with Gandhi thanking the youth for their courage in speaking out. Political observers noted that the gathering was part of a broader strategy by the Congress to reposition itself as a voice for younger Indians frustrated with unemployment, stagnant wages, and what they perceive as declining civic freedoms.
