Rahul Gandhi slams Modi govt in Colombia; says attack on democracy ‘threat’ to India

COngress MP and Leader of oppositeness (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul mrs. Gandhi, on th strike come out at the NDA-led central government, saying that the "attack on democracy" poses a major risk to India.Gandhi was speaking at an event at the EIA University in Colombia. Highlighting the importance of a democratic system in a diverse nation, he said that India faces "structural flaws.""India has strong capabilities in areas like engineering and healthcare, so I am very optimistic about the country. But at the same time, there are also flaws in the structure that India has to correct. The biggest challenge is the attack on democracy taking place in India," news agency ANI quoted Gandhi as saying.‘Major risk’ on IndiaThe Congress leader emphasised that a democratic system is essential for different traditions, customs, and ideas, including religious beliefs, to thrive in diversity.ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi pins Leh violence on BJP-RSS, backs demand: 'Give Ladakh a voice'However, the very democratic system in India is under attack, Gandhi said, terming it a "major risk" or threat.The Lok Sabha LoP further said, "India has multiple religions, traditions, and languages -- in fact, the country is essentially a conversation between all these people and cultures. Different traditions, religions, and ideas require space, and the best method for creating that space is the democratic system.""Currently, there is a wholesale attack on this democratic system, and that is a major risk. Another big risk is the tension between different conceptions in parts of the country. With 16-17 major languages and many religions, it is crucial to allow these diverse traditions to thrive and give them the space they need," he added.‘Cowardice’: Rahul on BJP-RSS ideologyGandhi also attacked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s partnership, saying "cowardice" was at the heart of their ideology."This is the nature of BJP-RSS. If you notice a statement of the foreign minister, he said, 'China is much more powerful than us. How can I pick a fight with them?' At the heart of the ideology is cowardice," the Congress MP said.ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi renews ‘vote theft’ attackGandhi cited an incident from Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's book, "he and his friends beat up a Muslim man and felt happy about it".In reference to this incident, Gandhi said that the Sangh's ideology is to "beat up weak people" and run away from those who are stronger than them."In his book, Savarkar has written that once he and his few friends beat up a Muslim man, and they felt very happy that day. If five people beat up a single individual, which makes one of them happy, it is cowardice. This is RSS ideology, to beat weak people," Rahul Gandhi said at the event in Colombia.ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi's ‘weak PM’ jibe at Modi after Trump's H-1B visa orderRahul Gandhi had earlier blamed the recent violent protests in Ladakh on the ruling BJP and its ideological parent, the RSS. He alleged that the people of Ladakh and their culture were under attack by the BJP-RSS combine.“Ladakhis asked for a voice. The BJP responded by killing four young men and jailing Sonam Wangchuk,” the Congress leader said in a post on X.“Stop the killing. Stop the violence. Stop the intimidation. Give Ladakh a voice. Give them the 6th Schedule,” he added.Gandhi has also been targeting the Centre with his “vote chori” allegations, a claim made amid the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in poll-bound Bihar.(with ANI inputs)