Tribes, farmers, labourers, Dalits being suppressed, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said tribes, farmers, labourers and Dalits are being suppressed not just in Chhattisgarh, but in entire country.

"Wherever they want to raise their voice, their voices were culled. All Indian tribals are not Maoists, they are patriot and they should not be suppressed," said Gandhi when his response was sought on killing of innocent tribes in the name of Maoists in the state.

He said, "Today (on Monday), I spoke in Parliament about the farmers, but was stopped. In the entire northern belt, especially in Uttar Pradesh, farmers are facing huge losses due to rain and hailstorm."

"Modi ji has said that he wants to work with the farmers, while the Congress party has been saying it for two years that the farmers are suffering due to crop loss. It is an opportunity for Modi ji to correct his course by helping and compensating the farmers," he said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi should send Central teams to assess the loss, and provide relief to the farmers immediately," said Gandhi, who arrived here after paying his obeisance at Giroudhpuri Dham, a Satnami community's pilgrim centre.

He said his visit was non-political and he came to Giroudhpuri Dham just to seek blessings of Satguru Ghasidas.

"I went to Girodpuri Mela, and I'm feeling very happy to be here. I learnt a lot. The BJP is in habit of speaking lie, and we will deal with them in Parliament. I am not here to do politics, I'm here to pay my obeisance," said Gandhi while replying to a question by reporters.

Giroudhpuri is the birth place of Satnami saint Guru Ghasidas. The dham is located around in Balodabazar district, 130 km from Capital city Raipur. A 253-ft high 'Jaitkham' has been erected at the pilgrim centre and is touted as the highest concrete tower in the country.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and Chhattisgarh in charge B. K. Hariprasad, treasurer Motilal Vora, Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Bhupesh Baghel were among those present during the visit.