New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi Monday met Mohammad Irfan, who gained widespread attention for reciting the Preamble during the recent student protests.Irfan, 35, is a roadside ice-slab vendor and daily wager living in a Delhi slum. With no formal education or political affiliation, his observations on democracy, systemic inequality and the concerns of young people drew praise on social media. Irfan shared his own experiences of poverty and spoke in depth about the challenges faced by working-class labourers, unorganised sector workers, and the need for better access to education, healthcare and democratic rights.Sharing videos and photographs from the meeting, Gandhi wrote: “I met Irfan — a young man from a Delhi neighbourhood whose mindset is not defined by his circumstances. His understanding of the Constitution, his perspective on the country, and his eagerness to learn demonstrate that India’s greatest strength lies in its youth.”Gandhi interacted with Irfan, his family and members of the local community. He said millions of young people like Irfan represent the country’s “true hope”. “They are inquisitive, sensitive and conscious of their rights and duties,” he said.
