'Attack on democracy India's biggest threat': Rahul Gandhi in Colombia
What's the story
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once again accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attacking India's democratic fabric. Speaking at EIA University in Colombia, he emphasized India's cultural diversity and technological strength but warned against the current threat to its democratic system. "There are fault lines within the Indian structure; there are risks that India has to overcome. The single biggest risk is the attack on democracy that is taking place," he said.
Attack
'We cannot do what China does'
He said different traditions, religions, and ideas require space, and the best method for creating that space is the democratic system. "And currently, there is a wholesale attack on the democratic system in India," he said. The other risk, according to him, is the rift between different parts of the country. "Some 16-17 different languages and different religions. Allowing these different traditions to thrive...is very important for India...We cannot do what China does: suppress people and run an authoritarian system."
Policy critique
Gandhi calls BJP's demonetization policy a 'failure'
During his address, Gandhi also slammed the BJP's 2016 demonetization policy, calling it a "failure." "They demonetized currency with the idea that they'd get rid of cash. Doesn't work. As a policy, it was a failure," he said. On tackling corruption, he suggested decentralizing power but alleged that corruption is rampant at a centralized level under the current government. "Three-four business taking over the whole economy, having direct relationship with PM. Corruption is rampant in India (now)," he said.
Counterattack
BJP hits back, calls Gandhi a 'disgrace'
The BJP has hit back at Gandhi's comments. MP Kangana Ranaut called him a "disgrace." "Everyone knows that he is trying to defame the country everywhere, criticising the country. If he's saying that people here are quarrelsome, that they are not honest, then by all this he is trying to show that Indians are brainless," she said. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari slammed Gandhi for criticizing India's progress on foreign soil, while leader Gaurav Bhatia accused him of degrading India globally.
Past criticisms
Gandhi's history of critiquing BJP abroad
This isn't the first time Gandhi has criticized the BJP from abroad. In 2024 at Cambridge University, he said Indian democracy was "under attack." In 2022 in London, he said the "soul of India is under attack" and compared the situation to Pakistan, claiming that the "deep state" is "chewing the Indian state and eating it." During his overseas visits in 2018, he had compared PM Narendra Modi to then US President Donald Trump.