Rahul Gandhi while speaking at an event in the United States (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, currently visiting the United States, has opened up about his views on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the nature of India’s unity. Speaking to students and faculty at Georgetown University, Gandhi clarified that while he disagrees with Modi’s perspectives, he does not harbor personal animosity towards him.
Gandhi emphasized that India is fundamentally an amalgamation of diverse languages, traditions, histories, and religions. He criticized the BJP and RSS for what he perceives as their failure to grasp this intrinsic unity. “India at heart, is a union of languages, traditions, histories, religion, everything... When you have lunch here, you get a first course, second course...we don't get that, we get a thali, and everything placed in it...it's a jumble and every food has the same value...so this idea of mixing and merging is in India,” Gandhi explained.
He further highlighted a critical misunderstanding he attributes to the BJP and RSS: “The misunderstanding that BJP and RSS have is they think that India is a whole bunch of separate things. So we don't need to redefine anything, it's already there.”
On ‘love’ and political discourse
Addressing questions about his ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukaan’ slogan, Gandhi reiterated that he does not consider Modi his enemy. “You will be surprised, but I don't actually hate Mr Modi...he has got a point of view, fine, I don't agree with his point of view but I don't hate him. In many moments, I empathise with him. I don't think like he is my enemy,” Gandhi remarked.
He contrasted this with the often contentious nature of political exchanges, noting, “That's more fun, you go in politics, you shout at that guy and that guy shouts back at you, then you abuse him, then he abuses you back. It's boring stuff.”
During his address, Gandhi also addressed the dual challenges facing the Congress party and the broader opposition. He stressed the importance of winning upcoming elections and the more arduous task of “undoing the damage” inflicted by the BJP and RSS on Indian institutions. “First, contesting the election, we are confident that we will fight and win the elections against BJP. In the next two or three months we will win these elections. Then, undoing the damage that BJP and RSS have done to our institutions is a much deeper problem,” he said.
He lamented the use of investigative agencies and the legal system against the opposition, emphasizing the need to restore neutrality to Indian institutions.
During his US visit, Gandhi has interacted with the Indian diaspora in various locations, including Virginia and Dallas. He praised the diaspora as a ‘vital bridge’ between India and the US.
Gandhi’s US visit includes engagements with students and faculty at the University of Texas and addresses to the Indian diaspora, highlighting his ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations.
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