The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is everywhere. Years and crores of propaganda against him by the Bharatiya Janata Party and Modi supporters have come to naught. His steadfast pursuit of political and philosophical accountability and upholding of democratic values has stirred the soul of India. Suddenly the idea of change has become plausible, possible, even desired.The sudden outburst of energy by Gen Z has complimented their unattached counterparts who have enthusiastically responded to the clarion call of Chatron ki Goonj. The tempo is steadily building up, redrawing the map of contemporary politics. Some people might see this as long awaited change in the fortune of the Indian National Congress but the more important point is that it promises retrieving our beloved country from a disastrous path it embarked upon in 2014. It is becoming possible because in Rahul Gandhi we have seen leadership qualities of courage, clear vision, determination, communication, empathy, insightfulness, analytical aptitude, humane sentiments. Youth have always been the cutting edge of social development. Today they have the opportunity to be the new freedom fighters.One might ask whether Rahul Gandhi’s struggle is for a way of life, the nature of politics or something beyond. When he speaks of two paths that contemporary India faces: one, the path of Mahatma Gandhi, and two, the path advocated by the RSS, he is pointing to a civilisational battle. Of course the Gandhian path is explicit and transparent but the RSS articulation remains ambiguous and inherently contradictory.For instance, speaking of equality of women when Rahul Gandhi refers to Manusmriti, the right-wing responds by questioning the absence of accountability of holy texts and scriptures of Islam and Christianity. In public discourse, sequentially all aspects and across the board issues need to taken without exception but the syllabus and priority cannot be set by partisan persons.Also read: Rahul Gandhi’s Warnings: Allegations, Predictions, or Prophecies?One is reminded of John F. Kennedy’s words, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”. So, please answer the question he has asked, do not evade by questioning what questions he should ask. Those questions will be asked as well but first we must be clear about the attitudes and beliefs of those who are in power. Civilisational renewal needs major separation of wheat from chaff. It does not help to ask, ‘Whose wheat and whose chaff is this?’Our constitution is a remarkable integration of tradition and modernity. We must be clear that not every tradition is worth preserving and not all modernity is wholesome. The constitution provides inherent guidance in this matter if we read it correctly. Ronald Dworkin, the famous liberal legal philosopher, called this practice a ‘moral reading of the Constitution’. We are not clear what the RSS view is on the constitution if the sporadic self-serving statements of people associated with them, mostly with political constituencies in mind, are to be ignored. But then we would do that at great cost to our society and ourselves. So, instead of beating about the bush and choosing a convenient place and moment to slip in controversial propositions of the kind we heard at a Dharma Sansad in Uttarakhand some years ago, the RSS should be prepared to subject itself to intellectual and moral scrutiny. Do they believe in equal rights and dignity of women? What does that equality entail?Besides the civilisational dimensions underscored by Rahul Gandhi in his recent pronouncements, there are fundamental questions by him on the education system that is meant to prepare succeeding generations for the challenges and opportunities of life beyond. The repeated incidents of lack of integrity in examination procedures and the loss and frustration that causes to participants as well as the very nature of expensive tutorial backup required to succeed put a big question on the entire system and structure.Are we systematically choking choice of individuals by making the market for jobs artificially unviable?Is the crazy pressure to perform driving our children to desperation?Is learning by rote depriving young citizens of the finer dimensions of human knowledge?In the stunning gatherings that Rahul Gandhi has addressed, many interesting thoughts have been offered by the young participants and certainly their first-hand experience is invaluable. But the leader has touched a chord that must be addressed by people whose responsibility is to ensure the education system is compatible with demands of society, fair and transparent to aspirants, appropriately motivating for parents, rewarding of merit, equitable to the disadvantaged, and focused on inclusion.There is a lot for which we thank Rahul Gandhi but most of all for having revived hope amongst the young. Contemporary India has been preoccupied with promises and delivery, and the disappointment and distress caused by intended or unintended failures. False intentions of change lead to disillusionment. The ability to provide hope is a rare quality. The hope that Rahul Gandhi has nurtured for the young people of our country must be given a chance.Salman Khurshid is a former foreign minister and law minister.