‘We Are High on Life’: Following PM Modi, Varanasi Youths Criticize Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Nashedi’ Remark

Pintu Goswami sells tea here on the Ganga’s shore, Shubham Sawhney is a boatman, Vivek Pandey trains people in the gym, and Shiva Pandey sells his handcrafted paintings at Meer Ghat in Varanasi. They are all upset with Congressman Rahul Gandhi for labeling the young people of the holy city as “nashedi” (addicts), and that is what unites them all.

During his visit to Varanasi on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi blasted Gandhi, claiming the Congress MP had “insulted the future of the nation” and that he was startled by his remarks. Modi claimed the young people of Varanasi are being called addicted by individuals who are “themselves not in their senses.”

Later that evening, News18 met these four young people who are supporting themselves via their work at the Meer Ghat. Gandhi is speaking this out of self-interest. While painting the Ganga boats, Shiva Pandey said, “Was he drunk, as we can never really understand him.”

Shiva makes between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 a day selling paintings at Meer Ghat. “Methi supari is something I have never tasted. Rahul would get the meaning if he saw an inebriated individual in Varanasi! Rahul would not have been able to hold his rallies and roadshows if the Varanasi young were under the influence. Everyone here is aware that he is disliked. Regarding Varanasi’s youth, he has false illusions. “The youth of Varanasi are full of life; Banaras ke log to hosh mein hi pagal hai, unhe peene ki zaroorat nahin,” remarks Shiva Pandey.

His buddy Vivek Pandey, 26, claims that he works as a gym trainer for a career and is aware of the detrimental impact that alcohol has on one’s health. “Rahul Gandhi wants to become well-known, but this isn’t the right path…He is making an erroneous generalization. Stones would have been hurled at him if Varanasi’s youngsters had been inebriated all the time, Vivek said.

Rahul Gandhi, according to Shubham, a boat operator on the Ganga, is defaming young people because he knows he won’t be able to leave his imprint on Varanasi. “Business is going well here. There are no conflicts or disturbances. All we want is Narendra Modi,” he said.

Tea vendor Pintu Goswami of Meer Ghat argued that Modi was justified to criticize Gandhi. Since Modi assumed office as our MP and PM, my company has expanded. I’m not suggesting that young people don’t drink, but it’s not appropriate to disparage everyone.He stated, “The Ram Mandir is not appropriate; Rahul’s party has acknowledged as much.

Near the city’s Ravidas Gate, a young guy named Vishesh Kumar is selling cut fruits to a group of youthful patrons. The young people here are conscious of and planning for their futures. We are learning and making a living. Rahul Gandhi is incorrect to characterize every young person in Kashi as an addict, according to Kumar.

“Rahul Gandhi speaks nonsensically and is not a good leader.” Even though he is not young, everyone still refers to him as such.He is the same age as my dad. What would he do in Varanasi if he is unable to win Amethi? Anoop Kumar, a young person, told News18.

After the Prime Minister criticized Gandhi’s remarks in Varanasi, the BJP is raising the stakes. This week, Gandhi was in Varanasi on his Nyay Yatra. Rahul had reported seeing drunken youngsters dancing and lying on the streets of Varanasi while a band was playing when he arrived in Amethi two days before.

Rahul Gandhi responded to PM Modi’s criticism of his remark on social networking platform X, claiming that the prime minister was telling the grandma about the state of her home. He wrote, “Modi ji naani ko nanihaal ka haal suna rahe hain.”

Samajwadi Party, a Congress partner, is uncomfortable with these comments. According to party officials, Rahul Gandhi may have been attempting to draw attention to the problem of unemployment in Uttar Pradesh, but his speech went in a different way. Given the youthful image of Akhilesh Yadav, the SP has been attempting to connect with the youth and first-time voters, who make up a significant portion of the UP vote. The dispute arose only one day after the Congress and SP agreed to share seats in Uttar Pradesh in the next Lok Sabha elections.