Priyanka Gandhi likens unemployment and soaring living costs to a modern‑day Ravana

On Tuesday, amid the colourful chaos of the Dussehra Ramlila at Gandhi Maidan, New Delhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stepped onto the stage and, without pre‑scripted political jabs, described what many Indians are feeling today: a crushing sense of helplessness. She said the twin spectres of unemployment and the ever‑rising cost of living are “a modern‑day manifestation of Ravana” – the mythic demon king whose defeat marks the festival’s triumph of good over evil.

“This isn’t a moment for politics,” she told reporters, a hint of a smile crossing her face as the crowd’s chants faded. “I have no specific message for the government. What I want to say is that the public is confronting something that feels like a modern‑day Ravana – jobs disappearing, prices soaring, families scrambling.”

Her words, spoken just before the traditional burning of Ravana’s effigy, seemed deliberately timed. The symbolism wasn’t lost on anyone watching; the same fire that consumes the mythic villain now mirrors the daily battles of ordinary citizens wrestling with financial pressure.

Priyanka went on to invoke the spirit of the festival itself, urging people to “fight for truth in your own lives.” She added a heartfelt Dussehra greeting on X, hoping the celebration would bring “happiness, peace and prosperity” to every household.

Not far behind, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also sent his Dussehra wishes, but his tone shifted to a more somber note. He highlighted a worrying rainfall deficit – less than 40 percent below the seasonal average – and warned that the resulting drought was adding another layer of distress to an already strained populace.

Both leaders, in their own ways, painted a picture of a nation at a crossroads: the festive glow of Dussehra juxtaposed against the stark realities of job loss, price hikes, and climate challenges. Their message was clear – the fight between truth and falsehood, prosperity and hardship, is far from over, and it will take collective resolve to see it through.

As the flames rose and the effigy of Ravana burned, the crowd’s cheers echoed a timeless hope: that the darkness of today’s struggles can be dispelled, just as the ancient demon was conquered centuries ago.