In 1999, Kargil became the battleground where India was tested, unleashing a wave of solidarity that marked the triumph that followed.

Nearly a quarter century later, Kargil has set up another test: What can you do to change the situation confronting Muslims in the country now?

The question was addressed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who visited the Muslim-majority Kargil in Ladakh after wrapping up his six-day tour of the adjoining Buddhist-dominated Leh.

A young person asked Rahul in English: “...Our Muslimness, the identity we hold very dearly, we are very proud to be Kargili, we are very proud to be Muslim. Equally proud. We hold our identity very, very strongly. It is extremely dear to us. We have seen the youth in the country getting incarcerated for minute crimes, for speeches, we want to know what would you be doing when you come to power to change the scenario that the Indian Muslims are facing right now?

Loud cheers break out.

The youth continued: “We do not get stages like this to speak our hearts out. This is one of the stages where we can speak without being shy, without any hesitation. We are afraid to talk about our problems, we do not want to be targeted people, by governments. We do not want to be left out of government job opportunities. What would you be doing when you come to power?”

Rahul replied: “You are right that Muslims are under attack in India. This (the complaint) is not wrong. But you must also realise that there are many other people under attack in India. Please look at what is going on in Manipur today. For four months, Manipur has been burning.

“You must not think that you (the Muslims) are the only people who are under attack. This is happening to Muslims, other minorities. It is happening to Dalits and tribals.”

Rahul promised the youngster and other youths present at the interaction: “This is something we are committed to fighting. You are well aware that myself and the Congress party are at the forefront of that fight.

“Regardless of which religion you are from, which community you belong to, where you come from, you must feel comfortable in this country. Comfortable in every corner of this country. This is the constitutional foundation of India.”

The youth then asked: “Would you release the Muslim youth who are in jail?”

Rahul replied: “Listen, we will have to function according to the courts, friend. We cannot function outside the legal system of the country, right?

“I have to operate under the Constitution. I have no choice. If the Supreme Court had not reinstated me, I would have to abide by their decision. As a politician, those are the instruments we have.”

Rahul added: “But what you are saying, absolutely, we are very sensitive to unfairness towards any community, any group, any religion, any caste, any language. That is for sure.”

2024 ‘guarantee’

To a question about the Congress’s health, Rahul said it was the BJP, and not his party, that was facing a downfall.

“Which party faced downfall in Karnataka, in Himachal? Was it the Congress? There is election in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. You will see who faces downfall there. The Congress will win all four states,” the Congress MP said.

“Don’t think the Congress cannot fight the BJP. I guarantee you that we will defeat the BJP in the 2024 elections,” Rahul added, to loud cheers.

“The BJP has controlled all institutions in the country. Do you think India has free and fair media? Is the media neutral in India? The BJP has attacked all institutions in India. Media, bureaucracy, the Election Commission or judiciary are under attack. If there was a level playing field, the media was fair and the BJP had not captured institutions, it would not have won even the 2019 elections. But despite that, the Congress and INDIA alliance will defeat BJP,” Rahul said.