JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and demanded that the government stop "jumlas" (false promises) and start "working" as public patience was wearing out.
Addressing a huge students' rally in Tilak Nagar area, Kanhaiya Kumar said people don't want false promises or 'jumlas' in the name of 'Stand Up India', 'Make in India', 'Skill India' or communal-casteist politics, but need education, jobs and development.
"Ours is a politics of social justice, helping the masses of the country. The students and workers of the country are getting united. That's why the Modi government is so scared," said the president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU), as the audience cheered and applauded.
In his trademark fiery speech, he demanded a complete end to caste-communal politics inspired by the RSS and said the students' struggle was not to grab votes, but to save democracy, ensure social justice and empowerment of the people.
"Our fight is not against any particular caste or religion, but opposed to the entire caste system. Even animals are being divided on communal lines. You stop your communal-caste politics, we shall end our agitation," he said.
"We don't need political parties, but a public revolution. For how long will the sufferings of the masses continue? The sun will rise," Kanhaiya Kumar said expressing hope for better days.
"I have full respect for the PM. He has travelled around the whole world, but has no time to visit Marathwada. Can he bear the scorching heat of Marathwada? This government is not serious about drought or the plight of farmers, but more concerned about IPL," he said.
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Calling upon the government to improve its functioning, the JNUSU leader warned that if the youth don't get jobs, the public will not give a second chance to the BJP.
"This is the era of OLX (buying-selling website), do something soon, or people will pack you off."
Referring to the government's plans to launch bullet trains, he said it was free to do so, but simultaneously should improve the inhuman conditions of millions of commuters in Mumbai's suburban trains.
"Modi said his mother was a domestic worker. If that is so, then the government must provide free education to children of domestic workers and all other poor people in the country.
"Expenditure on education is not an expense, but an investment for the future," he said.
Earlier on Saturday afternoon, Kanhaiya Kumar arrived to a grand welcome by representatives and supporters of around a dozen Leftist, student and youth groups for an educational conclave during his first visit to Mumbai.
He visited and paid homage at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar, the place where the chief architect of India's Constitution B.R. Ambedkar was cremated.
Kanhaiya Kumar is scheduled to visit Pune on Sunday and meet students of the Film and Television Institute of India who had gone on a 139-day strike last year.
--IANS
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