India
‘PM Modi’s 56-inch chest, BJP’s fear tactics are a thing of the past’: Rahul Gandhi in Virginia – Times of India
Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi wasted no time in attacking the BJP as he began his US tour. Speaking at a diaspora event in Herndon, Virginia, he criticized Prime Minister Modi and the BJP for spreading fear in India, only to have it dissipate “within seconds” after the election.
His comments set the tone for his visit, which includes meetings with students from Georgetown University and other engagements.
Addressing the Virginia Diaspora: Post-Election Reflections
Speaking to the Indian diaspora in Herndon, Virginia, Rahul Gandhi highlighted the changing political landscape in India after the elections. He noted, “Something has changed after the elections. Some people were saying, ‘Dar nahi lagta ab, dar nikal gaya ab’… I find it interesting that the BJP and Prime Minister Modi are spreading so much fear, and the pressure from agencies on small businesses, everything has disappeared within seconds.”
He highlighted how the influence and fear that the ruling party and their use of government agencies had created over small businesses disappeared almost instantly. “It took years for them to spread this fear and within seconds it was gone… In Parliament I see the Prime Minister at the front and I can tell you that the idea of Mr Modi, 56-inch chest, direct connection to God, that is all gone now, it is all history now…”
Challenges for the elections
Rahul Gandhi also shared insights from the pre-election period, noting that the Congress party’s bank accounts were frozen just three months before the polling began. “Three months before the election, all our bank accounts were sealed… We were discussing that now what to do… I said ‘Dekhi Jayegi“Let us see what we can do… and we went into the elections…” Gandhi recalled, reflecting on the difficult circumstances the party faced.
On India’s diversity and the BJP’s ideology
In his speech, Rahul Gandhi reiterated the essence of India’s unity, rooted in the Constitution. He criticized the BJP’s approach to the country’s diversity, saying, “The BJP fails to understand that India is a union of states, histories, traditions, music and dance.” He argued that the ruling party was misrepresenting India’s fundamental principles.
“It is clearly written in the Constitution… India, which is Bharat, is a union state, history, traditional music and dance… they (BJP) say it is not a union, it is different…” he said.
RSS and the linguistic diversity of India
Gandhi also targeted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying, “What the RSS says is that certain states, languages, religions and communities are inferior to others.” He stressed that the RSS ideology has no respect for India’s linguistic and cultural diversity and that he considers this a key point in their ongoing struggle.
“What RSS is saying is that certain states are inferior to other states. Certain languages are inferior to other languages, certain religions are inferior to other religions, and certain communities are inferior to other communities… Every state has its own history, tradition… RSS ideology is Tamil, Marathi, Bengali, Manipuri, these are inferior languages… that is what the fight is about… These people (RSS) don’t understand India…”, Rahul said.
Visit to Washington lasts two days
Gandhi will remain in Washington for the next two days before returning to Delhi. His tour is part of a broader effort to reach out to the Indian diaspora and discuss key political issues.
Interaction with the Indian diaspora and university students
Rahul Gandhi’s US tour began in Dallas, where he interacted with students and faculty from the University of Texas. Describing the experience as “dynamic and engaging,” Gandhi discussed topics ranging from Indian politics to the role of youth and women in shaping the future of both India and the US.
In his address to the Indian diaspora in Dallas, Gandhi stressed the importance of values such as love, respect and humility in Indian politics. He emphasised India’s rich diversity and noted that India, like the United States, is a union of states where all languages, religions and communities are equal.
Rahul Gandhi called the Indian diaspora in the US a “vital bridge” between the two countries and stressed the importance of maintaining connections between India and the global Indian community. He concluded by expressing optimism for the rest of his Visit to the USwhich he continues in Washington before returning to India.
His comments set the tone for his visit, which includes meetings with students from Georgetown University and other engagements.
Addressing the Virginia Diaspora: Post-Election Reflections
Speaking to the Indian diaspora in Herndon, Virginia, Rahul Gandhi highlighted the changing political landscape in India after the elections. He noted, “Something has changed after the elections. Some people were saying, ‘Dar nahi lagta ab, dar nikal gaya ab’… I find it interesting that the BJP and Prime Minister Modi are spreading so much fear, and the pressure from agencies on small businesses, everything has disappeared within seconds.”
He highlighted how the influence and fear that the ruling party and their use of government agencies had created over small businesses disappeared almost instantly. “It took years for them to spread this fear and within seconds it was gone… In Parliament I see the Prime Minister at the front and I can tell you that the idea of Mr Modi, 56-inch chest, direct connection to God, that is all gone now, it is all history now…”
Challenges for the elections
Rahul Gandhi also shared insights from the pre-election period, noting that the Congress party’s bank accounts were frozen just three months before the polling began. “Three months before the election, all our bank accounts were sealed… We were discussing that now what to do… I said ‘Dekhi Jayegi“Let us see what we can do… and we went into the elections…” Gandhi recalled, reflecting on the difficult circumstances the party faced.
On India’s diversity and the BJP’s ideology
In his speech, Rahul Gandhi reiterated the essence of India’s unity, rooted in the Constitution. He criticized the BJP’s approach to the country’s diversity, saying, “The BJP fails to understand that India is a union of states, histories, traditions, music and dance.” He argued that the ruling party was misrepresenting India’s fundamental principles.
“It is clearly written in the Constitution… India, which is Bharat, is a union state, history, traditional music and dance… they (BJP) say it is not a union, it is different…” he said.
RSS and the linguistic diversity of India
Gandhi also targeted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying, “What the RSS says is that certain states, languages, religions and communities are inferior to others.” He stressed that the RSS ideology has no respect for India’s linguistic and cultural diversity and that he considers this a key point in their ongoing struggle.
“What RSS is saying is that certain states are inferior to other states. Certain languages are inferior to other languages, certain religions are inferior to other religions, and certain communities are inferior to other communities… Every state has its own history, tradition… RSS ideology is Tamil, Marathi, Bengali, Manipuri, these are inferior languages… that is what the fight is about… These people (RSS) don’t understand India…”, Rahul said.
Visit to Washington lasts two days
Gandhi will remain in Washington for the next two days before returning to Delhi. His tour is part of a broader effort to reach out to the Indian diaspora and discuss key political issues.
Interaction with the Indian diaspora and university students
Rahul Gandhi’s US tour began in Dallas, where he interacted with students and faculty from the University of Texas. Describing the experience as “dynamic and engaging,” Gandhi discussed topics ranging from Indian politics to the role of youth and women in shaping the future of both India and the US.
In his address to the Indian diaspora in Dallas, Gandhi stressed the importance of values such as love, respect and humility in Indian politics. He emphasised India’s rich diversity and noted that India, like the United States, is a union of states where all languages, religions and communities are equal.
Rahul Gandhi called the Indian diaspora in the US a “vital bridge” between the two countries and stressed the importance of maintaining connections between India and the global Indian community. He concluded by expressing optimism for the rest of his Visit to the USwhich he continues in Washington before returning to India.
