New Delhi: A “wholesale attack” on democracy is the “single biggest risk” that India faces, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in Colombia, triggering a sharp response from the BJP.
His comments sparked a political controversy with the Bharatiya Janata Party saying he was defaming constitutional offices on foreign soil.
“The single biggest risk is the attack on democracy which is taking place in India. Because India has multiple religions, multiple traditions and languages. And India actually is a conversation between all its people. Different traditions, religions and different ideas require space and the best method for creating that space is the democratic system. Currently, there is a wholesale attack on the democratic system in India,” the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said at an event organised by EIA University of Colombia.
“I don’t see that India sees itself taking leadership of the world. We are not arrogant enough to believe that we should lead the world.”
The second risk, according to Rahul, was “between different conceptions and different parts of the country.”
“There are some 16-17 different languages. There are different religions. So, allowing these different religions to thrive, giving them space to express themselves is very important for a country for India. We can’t do what China does: which is to suppress people and run an authoritarian system. Our design will not accept that,” Rahul affirmed.
The BJP, which believes Rahul undermines his country on during overseas trips and seeks foreign help to counter the saffron party, wasn’t amused by his latest tirade against the Centre.
‘Trying to divide India’
Calling out Rahul for “trying to divide India” during a foreign visit yet again, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla called him a ‘leader of propaganda’.
“Once again Rahul Gandhi behaves like LoP – Leader of Propaganda. Goes abroad and attacks Indian Democracy! After all he wants to fight Indian state! Sometimes Demands US UK should intervene into our affairs and now this. From Sena to Judiciary to Sanvidhan to Sanatan !” Poonawalla wrote in a post on X.
Union minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal told ANI: “It has become a habit for Rahul Gandhi to defame the country’s constitutional institutions abroad. The people of the country do not approve of this behaviour.”
Petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri quipped, “Don’t take seriously what the man says. I seriously doubt his motivation and understanding.”
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said instead of wishing people on Vijayadashami, Rahul chose to speak against India.
“Rahul Gandhi has developed a habit of defaming the nation and questioning the freedoms enjoyed by its people, and that too while on foreign soil. He constantly makes false allegations against Prime Minister Modi, abuses him without shame, and claims abroad that there is no freedom of speech in India. Everything Rahul Gandhi says is baseless,” he added.
