Start-Ups And Intolerance Can't Go Together, Says Rahul Gandhi

Mumbai: As the Centre's ambitious start-up mission got underway, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday trained his guns on the Narendra Modi government, saying there is a contradiction in pushing for start-ups and being "intolerant".

The Congress Vice President also said that the RSS has a very "rigid vision" for India and that start-ups require free movement of ideas.

"The ruling dispensation, particularly the RSS, has a clear idea on what the world should look like. They have a vision for India which in my opinion is a very rigid vision. This country requires flexibility, openness and movement of ideas," Mr Gandhi said, during an interaction with management students in suburban Vile Parle here.

"There's a huge contradiction in saying I want start-ups but I will be intolerant," the Congress leader said.

"You will fail on the economy and start up front if you are intolerant," he said.

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"Start-ups require free movement of ideas. If I say you are a woman and your place is in the kitchen, I am curbing your freedom," he said.

He also charged that the BJP categorises people. "The BJP has categories: There's a Hindu for them, a Muslim for them, a woman for them. I don't categorise. That's the difference between us and them," he said.

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Mr Gandhi asked students not to put labels on people, things and industries.

"Saying this is a Hindu, this is a Muslim, this is a woman...hides values," he said, adding, "When Steve Jobs was asked what was the most important class you took, he said: Japanese calligraphy".

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Asked how could India help provide conducive atmosphere for start-ups, Mr Gandhi said, "Start-ups require a whole set of eco systems that allows entrepreneurs to grow including infrastructure and regulation. The biggest problem is red tape."

"Today, if you are a Rs 10000 crore company, you can't easily get finance. If you are a big business, you can get around regulations and put pressure on politicians," he said.