Rahul Gandhi has long history of statements that tarnish India’s image abroad: BJP

The BJP on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his recent remarks in Colombia that “Indian democracy is under attack”, saying that the Congress leader has a long history of statements that tarnish India’s image abroad.

In a sharp reaction to the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha’s recent remarks, BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, while addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, said, “Rahul Gandhi has once again made anti-India remarks on foreign soil.”

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“This is not the first time he (Rahul Gandhi) has done so, as he (Rahul Gandhi) has a long history of statements that tarnish India’s image abroad,” Dr. Trivedi said

“Let me remind you, on 6 March 2023 at London’s Chatham House, he (Rahul Gandhi) questioned why the defenders of democracy, America and Europe, remain silent. Can there be a bigger insult than this?”, the BJP national spokesperson said.

Dr Trivedi said not even Indian universities, including those in Congress-ruled states, invite Rahul Gandhi.

“Even during the UPA rule, he was not invited. Then why is it only foreign universities that invite him?” the BJP national spokesperson questioned.

Dr Trivedi questioned Rahul Gandhi’s democratic credentials, calling him the new head of a family that “kept the monarchy alive in the Congress by wearing the cloak of democracy.”

“There cannot be anything more ridiculous and ironic than those who kept the monarchy alive by wearing the cloak of democracy for 100 years, giving a speech in a democracy, and that too against the biggest symbol of democracy, PM Narendra Modi,” Dr. Trivedi said.

Further hitting out at the Congress and Rahul Gandhi, the BJP national spokesperson said, “I want to tell the countrymen that there is a need to be very cautious of the descendants of this family, which has been in power for 100 years… who have become the flag bearers of anti-India forces. Because his (Rahul Gandhi’s) clear agenda is to make people fight in the name of language for power, to make castes fight among themselves.”

Rahul Gandhi, while speaking at an event at the EIA University in Colombia on Thursday, had said, “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.”

“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,” the Congress leader added.