New Delhi: Congress Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi launched a severe attack on the central government during the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention on Thursday. In a surprising political statement, the senior leader declared that he would step forward to protect the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh if there was ever an attempt to suppress their freedom of expression.
Addressing party workers in the national capital, Gandhi emphasised the fundamental right to free speech for every citizen. He asserted that Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Jains must be allowed to speak their minds without fear. According to the Congress leader, the true strength of India emerges only when its people can express themselves openly. He firmly accused the current administration of actively attempting to destroy this democratic expression.
Speaking on economic policies, Gandhi claimed that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh once served as the backbone for small traders. However, he alleged that the organisation betrayed these businessmen by supporting disruptive measures like the sudden currency ban and a flawed taxation system. He further remarked that a corporate culture within the organisation was initially introduced by Pramod Mahajan and later expanded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The political discourse then shifted to national security. Gandhi strongly criticised the federal government over the ongoing border dispute with China. He alleged that Chinese forces prevented Indian troops from patrolling their own territory and accused the ruling party of hiding this reality from the public. Referring to the Galwan valley clash, he pointed out a major contradiction. While the Prime Minister publicly claimed no land was occupied, the armed forces reported otherwise. Gandhi added that Chinese officials even used the statement of the Prime Minister to counter Indian military representatives during negotiations.
Bringing the focus back to domestic politics, Gandhi accused the ruling regime of prioritising political survival and corporate funding over public welfare. He took sharp digs at top leaders, claiming the Prime Minister is losing sleep over the shifting political landscape. He also questioned the recent absence of Home Minister Amit Shah from parliamentary sessions for twenty consecutive days. Wrapping up his address, Gandhi expressed deep confidence that the citizens of the country have finally decided to reclaim their right to question the government.