During his address at EIA University in Colombia, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, delivered a pointed critique of the Narendra Modi-led government. He emphasized that the most significant challenge facing India today is a direct assault on its democratic foundations.
Gandhi specifically pointed out what he called “structural flaws” within the system, arguing that India’s rich tapestry of diverse traditions must be actively supported and allowed to flourish.
“While I remain optimistic about India’s strong capabilities in fields like engineering and healthcare,” Gandhi stated, “we must acknowledge and rectify the structural flaws that exist. The paramount challenge right now is the escalating assault on India’s democracy.”
He further elaborated that a robust democratic system is indispensable for fostering diversity, enabling a wide array of traditions, customs, and ideas—including various religious beliefs—to prosper. Yet, he warned, this very democratic framework in India is currently facing a profound attack, posing a “major risk” to the nation’s future.
“India is a vibrant confluence of multiple religions, traditions, and languages—it’s fundamentally a grand conversation among all these diverse people and cultures. Such varied traditions, faiths, and viewpoints demand dedicated space to coexist, and the democratic system is the most effective way to ensure that space,” Gandhi explained.
He reiterated his concern: “We are witnessing a wholesale attack on our democratic system, which represents a significant danger. Another considerable threat stems from the growing tensions between different ideologies across various regions of the country. With 16-17 major languages and numerous religions, it is absolutely essential to cultivate an environment where these diverse traditions can not only survive but truly flourish, providing them with the necessary room to breathe and grow.”
Concluding his remarks, the Leader of the Opposition sharply criticized the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asserting that their ideology is fundamentally rooted in “cowardice.” He cited a statement from the Foreign Minister, who reportedly said, “China is much more powerful than us. How can I pick a fight with them?” Gandhi concluded, “This attitude reflects the true nature of the BJP-RSS: at the heart of their ideology lies cowardice.”