The Gandhi scion in an interaction at the Chatham House in London termed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) a “fundamentalist” and “fascist” organization
Our Bureau
London/New Delhi
In a scathing attack on the Modi government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said this week that it is the duty of every Indian living around the world to protect India’s democracy. “It is the duty of every Indian, everywhere in the world, to speak up for India’s core values and protect our beloved democracy,” tweeted Rahul Gandhi. The Congress MP, who is visiting the UK, criticized the Centre alleging that an attack has been unleashed on the basic structure of Indian democracy.
Rahul Gandhi in an interaction at the Chatham House in London termed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) a “fundamentalist” and “fascist” organization alleging that it has captured pretty much all of India’s institutions. He said, “The nature of democratic contest in India has completely changed and the reason is that one organization called RSS – a fundamentalist, fascist organization has basically captured pretty much all of India’s institutions.”
Rahul Gandhi further said Europe and the US are not doing enough to restore democracy in India as they are getting trade and money from the country. “Why Europe and the US – the defenders of democracies were oblivious of how a huge chunk of democracy in India has come undone?” he questioned.
The Congress leader also mentioned how the various institutions in the country were under threat. “It shocked me how successful they have been at capturing the different institutions of our country. Press, Judiciary, Parliament, and Election Commission are all under threat and are controlled in one way or the other,” Rahul Gandhi said.
“You can ask any Opposition leader as to how agencies are used. My phone had Pegasus on it, which was not happening when we were in power,” he added.
After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s statement in the UK, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit out at the Wayanad MP alleging him of shaming and mocking the country and its people from a foreign land.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said that Waynand MP through his statements abroad has opened a shop of anger, hatred and violence. “Gandhi had raised the slogan that he is going to open a Mohabbat ki dukan (shop of love) by Bharat Jodo Yatra, but it seems that instead of love, he has opened a shop of anger, hatred and violence by his actions abroad,” Kumar said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s comment in London that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is “fundamentally fascist” has provoked a backlash with the Sangh slamming him saying the Congress leader proved the Britishers’ basic idea for forming the party.
“Congress was formed by Britishers in 1885. Rahul Gandhi has proved the Britishers’ motto for forming the Congress party which they formed for controlling the people who were fighting for their freedom,” Indresh Kumar, a senior leader said. He further said that Rahul Gandhi is not Indian, but a foreigner dreaming of “ruling” India with help of other countries.
RSS leader also said that the Sangh is known as a “patriotic organization” in the whole world.
Also attacking Rahul Gandhi, former union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “It’s utterly shameful that Rahul Gandhi, from a foreign land, has tried to hurt the spirits of India’s consensus on the subject that no foreign country must intervene in India’s internal affairs.”
The BJP leader’s remarks came after Rahul Gandhi in the UK said, “Why Europe and the US – the defenders of democracies were oblivious of how a huge chunk of democracy in India has come undone?”
Prasad urged Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge to clear the party’s stand over Rahul Gandhi’s statement in which he sought America and Europe’s interference to restore democracy in India.
The BJP MP said Rahul Gandhi has sought to shame India’s Democracy from a foreign land. “Rahul Gandhi through his lectures in London has made a mockery of India’s polity, Parliament, judicial system, strategic security and its people. We ask Congress president Kharge if you feel that you are an elected president of Congress, do you support this irresponsible and shameful comment of Rahul Gandhi that ‘America and Europe must intervene in India to restore democracy’? If you do not support Rahul Gandhi’s statement, then disown it,” stated Ravi Shankar Prasad.
The BJP alleged that Rahul Gandhi is under the influence of “anarchist and Maoist elements”. In reference to former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Prasad questioned, “Sonia Gandhi Ji, BJP would like to urge you to make your stand very clear – where do you stand in the face of this utterly irresponsible statement of your son asking for interference by America and Europe to restore democracy in India?”
The BJP leader termed Rahul Gandhi’s remark as an “utterly irresponsible statement” and “shameful”. “Rahul Gandhi ji, you stop insulting India on foreign soil. If the country defeats you, again and again, do not take out its anger by going abroad,” added Prasad.
