United fight by Indians led to 1971 victory, says Rahul Gandhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 16

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing “Vijay Samman Rally” at Dehradun today, said India in 1971 could defeat Pakistan in just 13 days as the country then stood united. He attacked the BJP government for ignoring the role of Indira Gandhi in the 1971 war victory.

“My grandmother took 32 bullets for the unity and integrity of the country… On my way to Uttarakhand, two dates came to my mind — October 31 when my grandmother was martyred and May 21 when my father was assassinated. And the word that struck me was sacrifice,” he told the gathering as he launched his party’s campaign in Uttarakhand.

The Congress leader said the credit for the 1971 victory went to the “united fight put up by Indians regardless of their caste or religion. The country spoke in one voice and America’s Seventh Fleet was forced to return.” In a dig at the Union Government, Rahul said helicopters and fighter aircraft did not strengthen a country. “A country becomes strong when its people are strong.”

He attacked the Modi government over demonetisation and GST, describing these as “tools” of capitalists. “Take it from me, the youth in this country will not get jobs until the BJP government in New Delhi is removed,” he claimed. Pointing out that fuel prices had fallen in the international market, but owing to the high fuel tax in India there had been no relief for the common man, he alleged the Centre was only benefiting capitalists.

“Farm laws too were aimed at finishing farmers and helping the capitalists,” the Congress leader claimed, promising to safeguard the interests of farmers and the youth, if the Congress was voted to power.