DNA TV Show: LoP Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Indian state’ remark triggers controversy, BJP calls it ‘Bharat-todo agenda’

Congress MP and LoP Rahul Gandhi (Image credit: X/@RahulGandhi)

Amid the persistent debate around the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s alleged capture over constitutional institutions, a massive controversy has been triggered after Congress MP and LoP Rahul Gandhi’s remarks involving the “Indian state”. 

Gandhi remarked that he is “fighting the BJP, RSS and Indian state”, inviting a heavy outrage from the saffron party leaders. 

“Our ideology like the RSS ideology is thousands of years old and it has been fighting the RSS ideology for thousands of years. Do not think that we are fighting a fair fight. There is no fairness in this. If you believe that we are fighting a political organisation called the BJP or RSS, you have not understood what is going on. The BJP and the RSS have captured every single institution of our country. We are now fighting the BJP, the RSS and the Indian State itself”, said the Lok Sabha LoP. 

Notably, the remarks came in response to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement, in which he suggested that India’s “true independence” was achieved with the “Pran Pratishtha” of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia called Rahul Gandhi immature and said, “The nation feels hurt and led down by an irresponsible LoP Rahul Gandhi. India deserves a more responsible, faithful Leader of the opposition. Truly, it is our misfortune that we have a part-time and immature LoP who also happens to be guided by forces like George Soros and forces that are against the integrity of our country.”

Moreover, BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla also trained guns at Rahul Gandhi and claimed that the remarks of the Congress MP is a part of the “Bharat-todo agenda”. 

Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge echoed his fellow party leader’s sentiments and condemned Bhagwat’s remarks. 

“Many divisive forces, who had no contribution in the freedom struggle, later opposed the Constitution, the Tricolour, the Ashoka Chakra and even the laws being made for the progress of the society. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said- When Ram temple was built, the country got independence. Whereas Narendra Modi feels that when he became the Prime Minister in 2014, the country got freedom. This is a shame. The people of RSS-BJP do not remember Independence Day because they did not contribute to the independence of the country. Congress remembers independence because our people sacrificed their lives, suffered and left their homes for freedom. Therefore, I condemn the statement of Mohan Bhagwat ji”, he said in a post on ‘X’. 

Congress’s general secretary KC Venugopal also criticised the RSS chief’s statement, terming it “anti-national”.

Given the Delhi assembly poll is around the corner, Rahul Gandhi has finally joined the stage, campaigning for the Congress party. However, his statement now seems to have given an open front to the BJP.