During his recent visit to the US, Rahul Gandhi once again maligned India, its people and institutions on foreign soil. As the Leader of Opposition, he holds a position of great responsibility. He should carefully calibrate his statements and ensure that his words align with national interest. However, his rhetoric is almost always replete with misleading claims.
Rahul Gandhi stated that the Prime Minister is attacking the Indian Constitution. It is, in fact, Congress and the Gandhi parivar, which have single-handedly done the most damage to the Constitution. Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency in 1975. More recently, Rahul Gandhi disrespected democratic norms by tearing an ordinance passed by the Manmohan Singh cabinet, displaying a disregard for parliamentary procedures.
In contrast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands tall as a global statesman and has the highest approval rating among world leaders. It is important to highlight the historic significance of PM Modi being elected for three consecutive terms, a remarkable achievement. This mandate reflects respect for his leadership, vision, and dedication to the nation.
On reservation, Rahul Gandhi, while speaking at Georgetown University, said, “We will think of scrapping reservations when India is a fair place. And India is not a fair place.” This reflects the Congress party’s stance on reservations. In contrast, the BJP has always championed the inclusion of marginalised communities through reservation. Leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Ram Nath Kovind, Kalyan Singh and Shivraj Singh Chouhan are examples of leaders from backward communities holding significant positions in the BJP regime — a testament to the party’s commitment to uplifting these communities through representation in policymaking roles.
Rahul Gandhi’s claim that the fight in India is about whether Sikhs will be allowed to wear their turbans or go to gurdwaras is not only misleading but an affront to the Sikh community. He needs to read Indian history, especially the chapter on the anti-Sikh riots in 1984 under the watch of his father. Some of those accused of inflicting gruesome violence were rewarded with ministerial berths by Congress.
Rahul Gandhi’s statement on the imposition of Hindi is misleading and divisive. The BJP has always recognised the value of every language and culture. Such irresponsible statements create hostility among citizens. Only recently, Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that Hindi will be a friend to all regional languages and one should not pit one language against the other. Rahul Gandhi’s rhetoric, in contrast, often reveals his disregard for India’s diverse religious and regional identities.
A disturbing part of his speech was the open assault on India’s traditions. He said that India dishonours skilled people. But it is important to mention that the BJP has conferred the Bharat Ratra on several scientists and artists such as M S Swaminathan, Bhupen Hazarika, Lata Mangeshkar and Ustad Bismillah Khan.
In his remarks, Rahul Gandhi praised China, overlooking its many authoritarian practices. While he fails to acknowledge India’s democratic strengths, Rahul Gandhi remains conspicuously silent about the plight of the Uyghur Muslim community in China — human rights violations, mass disappearances, and persecution of the community are well-documented. He overlooks the fact that, in India, under the BJP government, minorities are thriving. The Modi government has made significant strides in ensuring that every community receives equal opportunities for growth, education, and development. From implementing welfare schemes to promoting inclusive governance it has worked tirelessly to ensure that in India all citizens, regardless of faith, flourish and contribute to the nation’s progress.
Rahul Gandhi’s allegations against the RSS were yet another indication of his inherent aversion towards institutions that have rendered great services to the country. It reflects a lack of understanding of the organisation’s role in India’s history, including its contribution to the freedom struggle and national service. He seems unaware that Mahatma Gandhi himself visited an RSS training camp in Wardha in 1934, where he praised the discipline of its volunteers in the presence of RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar.
In Rahul Gandhi’s former constituency, Wayanad, RSS workers provided critical relief during the devastating floods. By disregarding the RSS’s long history, Rahul Gandhi ignores the organisation’s deep-rooted connection to India’s social fabric.
Unsurprisingly, Rahul Gandhi is attempting to shift the focus of criticism to the media and judiciary. He seems to have forgotten that his disqualification was stayed by the Supreme Court of India and the electoral bond judgment, which he often cites, was also delivered by the apex court. While Rahul Gandhi speaks of love in politics, his words and actions reveal disrespect for India’s traditions, languages, and values. That’s what happened during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, which showed his divisive inclinations.
Instead of renouncing tradition, Rahul Gandhi should consider why his dream for the country is at odds with the dream of its people.
Not all countries have the fortune of having leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi who prioritise national interest over personal political ambitions. The BJP, with its focus on development, unity, and the welfare of all citizens, remains committed to building a stronger, more prosperous India, one that respects every individual’s contribution in light of the basic principles enshrined in the Constitution.
The writer is senior advocate and national spokesperson, BJP
