Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi has slammed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, accusing the BJP, RSS, and their affiliates of systematically capturing India's institutions. Rahul also claimed that the Congress party's fight was no longer confined to political adversaries but was against the machinery of the Indian state itself.
The LoP was reacting to Mohan Bhagwat’s earlier claim that India received “true Independence” on the date the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was consecrated—January 22. He added that the date must be observed as Pratishtha Dwadashi.
“Do not think we are fighting a fair fight. If you believe this is merely against a political organization like the BJP or RSS, understand that they have captured almost every institution in our country. We are now up against the Indian state itself,” Rahul Gandhi said, after the inauguration of the new Congress headquarters in New Delhi on January 15.
Describing the Congress’ broader ideological battle, Rahul added, “This is the key fight taking place in India. There are two visions in conflict -- one is our idea, the idea of the Constitution; and the other is the idea of the RSS. One idea says India is a union of states -- we have all the scheduled languages featured in this Bhavan, equally placed together, without any superior or inferior language or culture or community. This building symbolises this diversity.”
Referring to the RSS chief’s statement, Rahul further said, “Mohan Bhagwat has the audacity to inform us what he thinks about the Independence Movement and the nation. What he said yesterday is treason because if he is stating that the Constitution is invalid and the fight against the British was invalid then it's treason. In any other country, one would be arrested and tried. To say that India didn't get Independence in 1947 is an insult to every single Indian. And it's time we stop listening to such nonsense.”
Referring to the party’s history, Rahul also said, “This building stands as a reminder of the Congress party’s impact on India’s soul. Inside, you’ll find the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and countless others who served the Constitution and saluted the Tricolour. In contrast, those in power today neither salute the Tricolour nor respect the Constitution. Their vision for India is one of control by a select few, silencing the voices of Dalits, minorities, tribals, and backward classes.”
Rahul added in his speech that: “Unlike the Western world, which focuses on outside the self, the Indian way of thinking is about understanding the self. Our great masters, they are all about understanding - precisely: where you come from, who you are, and what your nature is. The Bhagavad Gita, Bhagwan Shiva, Guru Nanak ji, and Sant Kabir, they all talk about that.”
The Congress leader also raised concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI), pointing to alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra elections. "The sudden appearance of nearly one crore new voters between the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections raises alarm. Why is the Election Commission refusing to provide a transparent voters' list? What purpose does it serve to withhold this information? This lack of transparency undermines our democracy.”
Rahul ended his speech saying, “We are the only party equipped to confront and defeat this agenda because we are an ideological party. This fight is about defending the soul of India, and the Congress is committed to that mission.”