Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that exploiting emotive issues for political gain while pushing aside the real concerns of the people amounted to deceit.

Without referring to the Ram temple, Rahul asked the youth to decide what kind of country they wanted.

“Will the India of our dreams be identified by quality of life or by emotionalism? Youth shouting incendiary slogans or gainfully employed youth? Love, or hate?” the former Congress president asked, setting the tone for his upcoming Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

Addressing the youth on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, also celebrated as National Youth Day, Rahul said: “The youth and the poor are reeling under the burden (cost) of education, livelihood and healthcare amidst rising unemployment and prices. But the government is celebrating by describing this phase as Amrit Kaal. The arrogant emperor, intoxicated by power, has gone far away from ground reality.”

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party are trying to create a national frenzy around the Ram temple, projecting its scheduled January 22 consecration as a transformative moment in India’s history, Rahul has been trying to bring bread-and-butter issues into focus.

This is a stiff challenge because the BJP’s Ayodhya show is meant precisely to divert attention from these issues.

The theme song released by the Congress for the Nyay Yatra attempts a comprehensive critique of Modi’s rule, touching on concerns ranging from economic distress to democratic freedoms. It holds Modi directly responsible for the attack on the freedom of speech.

The song goes: “Bolenge lab chahe azaad nahin/ Manga hai haq ab fariyad nahin/ Har zuban pe hai taale/Bol kisne dale/ Guroor kaisa O sach chhipane wale… saho mat daro mat….”

(We shall speak even if we lack the freedom/ This is no mere complaint but a demand for our rights/ There’s a lock on every lip/ Tell me, who has put it there/ What makes you so audacious, you who hide the truth/ Do not tolerate, do not be afraid.)

The Congress has launched a social media campaign describing the Modi years as a sordid saga of injustice — economic, social and political.

The theme of the campaign revolves around injustice to farmers, women, poor and the youth. The emphasis is on the poor who are struggling for survival.

The Nyay Yatra, which kicks off in Manipur on Sunday, will cover 6,317km and end in Mumbai after an estimated 66 days.

Rahul on Friday met representatives of civil society organisations and people’s movements to discuss their concerns and modes of participation. Issues like atrocities on Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs and women, and the problems of the unemployed youth, small businesses and unorganised workers were raised at the meeting.

Welcoming all suggestions, Rahul expressed his determination to fight for justice through the Nyay Yatra. He invited all campaigners for justice to use the Yatra as a platform.

Explaining the nature of the injustice being inflicted by the RSS, BJP and the Modi government, Rahul stressed the need for a partnership between all those fighting for justice — as part of political parties, other organisations and movements, or as individuals.