Mumbai: In an apparent swipe at Shiv Sena
for its "Mumbai for Marathis" campaign, Congress leader Rahul
Gandhi today said 99 per cent of the people in the country
believed they are Indians and act in national interest while
only "one per cent minority shout and break things".
"The majority of the people do not get excited about these
things and are peace-loving who believe they are Indians and
act in the interest of this country. Only one per cent people
shout and break things," he said in an interaction with
students at Pondicherry University.
Landing here hours after he visited Mumbai braving
threats by Shiv Sena, the scion of the Gandhi family said,
without naming the Sena, "we hear only the voice of one per
cent. We don't actually hear the voice of majority. So, I am
not concerned about these fringe elements who will always be
there."
"The nature of democratic process allows people to speak
and when you allow people to speak some people have ideas
which are of this type," he said when a student asked about
curbing forces fanning sectarianism.
Gandhi said the only way to curb such forces was the
democratic set-up, adding "these forces in our country are (in
a) minority. "
"I think it is much more important to worry about central
ideas. If you are concerned, then join the majority and say we
are Indians," he told the students.
Responding to a question, Gandhi said, "There is no
single democratic party in the country. Even Congress, BJP and
SP are not democratic. Don't you think it is a paradox."
Gandhi spoke about leadership qualities among the
students and said they should "have a feel of politics. I
don't think every single person should enter politics. You
should have awareness about it."
On his second visit to the Congress-ruled union territory
of Puducherry since last year, Gandhi inaugurated the Rajiv
Gandhi Cricket stadium at the university campus.
Gandhi said he was impressed with the facility built at a
cost of Rs two crore. "I am looking for a captain from
Puducherry for the Indian team," he said.
Around 80 BJP workers were arrested hours before Gandhi's
arrival when they staged a demonstration protesting
"politicisation of educational institution" by allowing the
Congress leader to interact with the students at the varsity
premises.
Gandhi's visit is seen as part of his efforts to
strengthen the base of Congress in neighbouring Tamil Nadu
where the party is extending outside support to the ruling DMK
and in Puducherry, where DMK is supporting the Congress
government.
-PTI
First Published: Saturday, February 06, 2010, 00:38