Rahul Gandhi just confirmed his image of being a try-hard politician

In his newfound enthusiasm for political causes, Rahul Gandhi in the US is addressing the Congress’ caste and religious constituencies in India with a dangerous language laced with falsehood.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi speaking at Georgetown University (Photo: Congress party YouTube)

After winning 99 seats in the Lok Sabha in the 2024 elections, if the Congress party believes it has overcome all hurdles to power at the Centre, it is woefully mistaken. The main roadblock to the Congress’ acceptance by the masses as a credible alternative to the Narendra Modi-led NDA government lies not at the grassroots level but at the apex level of the party. Going by the ridiculous and laughable statements made by Congress scion Rahul Gandhi during his visit to the United States only confirms the perception that the party’s problems lies in the callowness of its leadership.

Rahul Gandhi’s diatribe against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on foreign soil displays not only his total lack of understanding of the RSS’ history and objectives but also his inanity to raise such issues and accuse the RSS of “considering some religions and communities as inferior to others.” It is absurd to say, especially on foreign soil without ascertaining the background of some of the attendees, that “the fight is about whether a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear his turban or a kada in India. Or he, as a Sikh, is going to be able to go to a gurdwara in India. That’s what the fight is about, not just for him, but for all religions.”

In his newfound enthusiasm for politics and political causes, Rahul Gandhi appears to be addressing his party’s caste and religious constituencies in India with a very dangerous language laced with absolute lies. The only time the Sikh community faced hardships in practicing their religion was during the reign of Rahul’s father, Rajiv Gandhi, who seemingly justified the killings following the assassination of his mother by Sikh security personnel. The Congress can never be pardoned for the 1984 pogrom of Sikhs. The party should issue an unconditional apology for the sinister and blatant lies uttered by its leader, which will be used by anti-India terrorist elements like Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who has reportedly ‘praised Rahul for his views’.

Rahul’s admission that the ‘Congress party will think of scrapping reservation’ is nothing but deceit and chicanery of the highest order. He neither had the courage nor the sincerity to say this during the 2024 elections. Instead, the Congress spread the canard that the BJP and RSS will change the Constitution and end reservation—a total lie. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said: “Everyone knows it is the RSS and BJP that want to change the Constitution to end reservation. Their leaders have spoken openly about it.”

What Congress scion could have done

Rahul Gandhi’s abysmally low understanding of economics is starkly evident from his comments. He has carried his domestic canards on economics to foreign soil, which will only damage Indian industry to some extent and his own party’s ‘hollow’ alternative economic agenda to a large extent. It is unfortunate that he is ignorant of when and where to draw the line between demonising ‘Adani-Ambani’ and disparaging the Indian economy. As the international order de-globalises, countries like India could run the risk of witnessing lesser FDIs, though it is not the case as yet. Rahul Gandhi’s accusations against the government of encouraging monopolistic practices could deter investors and harm the growing economy. His rants do not appear to be founded on policy-based information and don’t provide any clue about his party’s plans to end monopoly, if any, and introduce an inclusive capitalism policy framework.

It would have done him well if Rahul had cared to consult with more informed colleagues in his party on the RSS (there are a few with sufficient links with the organisation) and economy.

The Congress party does have intelligent leaders capable of hauling the ruling dispensation over coal while defending the government actions and policies abroad. For instance, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor had strongly defended India’s climate change efforts and economic management with attendant constraints. His response to the criticisms of India’s stance on coal at the COP26 climate conference is one that the government could publish as an official document. Again, while criticising the government at home, he showcased India’s economic strength in the US, saying, “India is the world’s fastest growing major economy even today, when China has begun to decelerate a bit, and it is already in purchasing power parity terms the third-largest economy in the world. So, India is beyond the stage of either being ignored or taken for granted. It matters anyway. And the choices it makes I think will resonate.”

Former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao credited India’s victory at the UN (on Kashmir issue) to the team led by then-opposition leader and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Similarly, the BJP-led NDA government praised Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh in Supreme Court for pioneering economic liberalisation in 1991, and also conferred Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, on Narasimha Rao.

All the current Congress scion did on foreign soil was scapegoat Indian businesses, spread lies about the RSS, promise to eliminate reservations, provide ammunition to anti-India lobbies and terrorist outfits, and validate perceptions of him as a quixotic politician and a mere try-hard. Fortunately for him, unlike in US presidential debates, no one was fact-checking him in real-time as he portrayed India in poor light. However, back home, his lies have been exposed, severely tarnishing both his image and that of his party.

Seshadri Chari is the former editor of ‘Organiser’. He tweets @seshadrichari. Views are personal.

(Edited by Prashant)