'Rafale is your right': Rahul Gandhi meets HAL employees in Bengaluru

I want to commit to you that Public Sector is the backbone of the country and its Defence Forces: Rahul Gandhi

I apologize to HAL, on behalf of Govt of India as I know they will not do anything to rectify the situation: Congress President

Defence Minister says HAL does not have the capability. What capability does the private individual have? I can see the 70+ years of progress made by HAL, says Rahul Gandhi

Public Sectors are the temples of modern India. We cannot allow them to be destroyed. If somebody thinks they can build their future on your graves, that cannot be allowed. We are going to fight for your future: Congress President

HAL is Pride of Karnataka. Our identity is taken away by Govt of India. We will not allow this. Today's Rafale issue is not just a corruption issue, but also of PSU which is the backbone of India: Mr. Umesh, Trade Union Activist

In 2015, a Kamov 220 Helicopter manufacturing agreement was signed, but there are no funds allocated by the govt to commence the project: Shivlingaiah, HAL Employee

During the Cold War, HAL was the only company that had an opportunity to work with Russian technologies. It is the best organisation in Asia: Babu T Raghav, former Engineer of IAF

Whenever HAL representatives visited our squadrons, we knew there are new hopes and new technologies. HAL and IAF are like two wings of one flight: Babu T Raghav, former Engineer of IAF

Defence production cannot be given to private individuals. It is a strategic asset: Mahadevan, former HAL employee

Bengaluru was the Public Sector Capital of India. Protecting our employment is the most important thing. In the new Rafale agreement, there is no transfer of technology: Mr. Mahadevan, former HAL employee

For the first time in my life, I have seen the govt issuing a directive advising employees against attending an event: Mr. Sirajuddin, Retd HAL Employee

HAL is leading the aviation industry in South East Asia. Do you want to kill this industry? It is an insult and injury. We will not tolerate this: Mr. Sirajuddin, Retd HAL Employee

I have come here to listen to you how this strategic asset can be made more effective and the type of difficulties you are facing, the Congress chief said

When Mr. Obama says there are only 2 countries that challenge USA are India and China, you(HAL) are an important part of it, says Gandhi

HAL, for me, is not just a company. It is an institution. When we got our independence, India built strategic assets to enter aerospace sectors. The work you have done is tremendous & the country owes a huge debt to you: Rahul Gandhi

When Mr. Obama says there are only 2 countries that challenge USA are India and China, you(HAL) are an important part of it, says Congress President Rahul Gandhi

I have come here to listen to you how this strategic asset can be made more effective and the type of difficulties you are facing, says Rahul Gandhi

We have been insulted and let down. A company of 70 years of experience is thrown out of the Rafale agreement. I do not understand. A large and experienced company that should have been improved. You are killing us, says Mr. Sirajuddin, Retd HAL Employee

"HAL is not just a company, when India got independence, India built some strategic assets to enter specific areas, HAL is a strategic asset to take India into aerospace. The work you have done for this country is tremendous and the country owes a debt to you," says Rahul Gandhi in Bengaluru.

Ahead of the interaction with HAL employees, Congress President Rahul Gandhi meets Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy in Bengaluru

Rahul Gandhi will attend a public meeting in Bengaluru on the Rafale scam.