Condemning the attacks on Christians and churches in Orissa and Karnataka, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
JALANDHAR:Condemning the attacks on Christians and churches in Orissa and Karnataka, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday that the people who attack religious places should be dealt with a stern hand.
The young Gandhi-Nehru scion, who is in Punjab on a three-day visit as part of his 'Discover India' tour, said there should not be any intervention in the fundamental right of the people.
"As far as the Congress is concerned, it feel that all members of the country are equal and every persons has right to follow any religion and there should not be any intervention in the fundamental right of the people," Rahul said here.
Asked whether his visit to Punjab can be seen as launching of campaign for forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, Rahul said he was here to supervise the on-going membership drive of Youth Congress, which is being implemented as a pilot project in the state.
"It would be ensured that the drive is completed in a free and fair manner," he said, adding that an organisation headed by former Chief Election Commissioner J M Lingdom would audit the proceedings of the election of Youth Congress.
On his recent visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Congress heir-apparent said the shrine was one of the most spiritual places he has visited so far.
"I have visited Golden Temple as a pilgrim and I found it the most spiritual place I have visited so far and I intend to visit the shrine again very soon," Rahul said.
Asked whether his visit to Punjab was aimed at bridging the gap between the Sikh community and Congress after the anti-Sikh riots in 1984, Rahul said: "I do not find any gap between the community and Congress, as I believe all are equal and give respect to all communities".
On speculations about his marriage, Rahul, in a lighter vein, said, "I come to know information about my married only through media".
To a query on alleged political vendetta being adopted by the ruling SAD-BJP combine in the state, Rahul evaded a direct reply and said "I have received feed back on political vendetta from several congress workers and I think congress is powerful to face such acts".
"I have met at least 30 to 40 families which were targeted due to the vendetta politics by the state government and I am sad that Congress has to face it. There should not any vendetta policies," he added.
On the idea mooted by Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee for extending the right to the voters to call back their non-performing elected representatives, Rahul said "it is a robust idea, but don't know the technicalities how it could be implemented. I have great regard to the Speaker and his ideas as well".
Without commenting on the Singur episode, Rahul cited the example of Orissa, where poor farmers were not given adequate compensation against their land.
"In Haryana, farmers were offered equity participating to the project for which their land was acquired and I think the participation of poor people is must for overall development of the country," he said adding that progress must take place but it must be fair to poor also.
On the issue of corruption, Rahul stressed on transparency in administration as there could be less chances of corruption in the open system.
Replying to a query on the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, Rahul said "you all know the situation of law and order in UP".
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}