Saturday, 23 November 2024
Saturday, 23 November 2024
Rahul Gandhi’s recent trip to the United States sparked a fresh wave of political controversy back home, as his outspoken comments on issues ranging from India’s reservation system to the handling of China have drawn sharp reactions from key leaders in the BJP and beyond on Wednesday.
As Gandhi continues to position himself as a vocal critic of the current administration, his remarks have ignited a series of fiery exchanges with political heavyweights like Amit Shah, Piyush Goyal, and Rajnath Singh.
Rahul Gandhi vs Amit Shah, Eknath Shinde and Mayawati
During his visit to the U.S., Rahul Gandhi made waves with a series of bold statements, one of which touched on India's reservation system. Rahul told students at Georgetown University that Congress might consider scrapping reservations when 'India is a fair place.' This comment sparked outrage from BJP leaders, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivering a stern response. Shah rebuked Gandhi for what he saw as a direct attack on the rights of marginalised communities. “As long as the BJP is there, neither can anyone abolish reservation nor can anyone mess with the nation's security,” Shah said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said Rahul Gandhi's 'anti-reservation' face has now come to the fore and the Congress leader's views reflect his 'petty mentality'. "Whenever Rahul Gandhi goes abroad, he spews venom against the country. The country can never agree with Rahul Gandhi's petty views. It has been Congress's habit to do politics in the name of religion and caste," the CM said.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati also weighed in on Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about reservation. "Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's clarification that he is not against reservation is clearly a misleading and false statement. During the 10 years of his active participation in the government before the BJP came to power at the Centre, he, along with the SP (Samajwadi Party), did not let the Bill for SC/ST reservation in promotions pass," said Mayawati.
Rahul Gandhi vs Piyush Goyal and Rajnath Singh
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on foreign soil, where he critiqued Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of China and the U.S.-China competition, drew sharp criticism from Union Minister Piyush Goyal. Gandhi questioned India's strategy, asking, “If you call having Chinese troops in 4,000 square kilometres of our territory handling something well, then maybe.” Goyal slammed Gandhi for defaming India abroad, calling his words 'absolutely shameful' and accusing him of orchestrating a 'well-thought agenda' to tarnish the country’s image. Goyal urged Gandhi to apologise, stating, “The manner in which India and every Indian is being defamed on foreign soil by a senior Congress leader is deplorable.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh joined the chorus of criticism against Rahul Gandhi. “It is extremely shameful that the Leader of Opposition is hurting the dignity of India by saying misleading, baseless, and factless things,” Singh remarked.
Rahul Gandhi vs Sudhanshu Trivedi
BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi didn’t mince words when he criticised Rahul Gandhi for meeting U.S. lawmaker Ilhan Omar during his visit. Gandhi’s engagement with Omar, known for her critical stance on India, was labelled by Trivedi as both 'dangerous and mischievous.' He remarked, “It is for the first time in the history of India that a Leader of Opposition has met a declared anti-India lawmaker and expressed his sweet feelings.”
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about the Sikh community triggered a protest led by the BJP’s Sikh cell in Delhi. Addressing a Sikh attendee during a public event in US, Gandhi stated, “The fight is about whether a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India or a kada in India. Or he, as a Sikh, is going to be able to go to a gurdwara.” This sentiment did not sit well with Delhi’s Sikh community, who accused Gandhi of misrepresenting the situation. Members of the Delhi BJP’s Sikh cell took to the streets, staging a protest near his residence at 10 Janpath, demanding an apology for what they deemed an inflammatory statement.
