Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks at EIA University in Colombia, invoking former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the process. Rijiju said that, unlike Indira Gandhi, who never spoke against India abroad, Rahul Gandhi was “the first person to go abroad and talk against his own nation,” telling ANI, “Indira Gandhi once said she would never speak against India outside the country. Rahul Gandhi is the first person to go abroad and talk against his own nation.”
Rijiju’s comments came in response to Gandhi’s recent statements accusing the BJP of “attacking India’s democracy” and centralising corruption. Speaking to students, Gandhi expressed optimism about India’s diversity, technological capabilities, and healthcare system, but warned that the country faced “serious risks.” He highlighted the “single biggest risk” as an ongoing attack on democracy, emphasizing that India’s democratic system is essential to accommodate its diverse traditions, religions, and ideas.
Gandhi contrasted India with China, arguing that India cannot adopt authoritarian measures and criticised policies like the 2016 demonetisation, calling it a failure. He also alleged that a few businesses dominate the economy through direct connections with the Prime Minister, describing corruption as rampant and advocating decentralisation of power as a solution.
The BJP responded strongly to Gandhi’s statements. Actor and MP Kangana Ranaut called him “a disgrace,” accusing him of defaming the country abroad. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari labelled Gandhi “anti-India,” saying, “Only a man who hates India and its progress can go abroad and say India cannot be a leader. The Gandhi-Vadra family kept the country poor for 70 years. Now, India has become a $4 trillion economy under Modi, yet Rahul Gandhi attacks its democracy out of jealousy.”
Party leader Gaurav Bhatia added that Gandhi had a history of overseas criticism, from London and the US to Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, and the University of California, Berkeley, accusing him of “degrading India globally” and urging him not to “lose patriotism” despite losing power.
