At a diaspora event in the United States, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, describing Mr. Modi as a prime example of those who believe they possess more knowledge than even God. During his discussion with members of the Indian community at a Mohabbat ki Dukaan event in Santa Clara, California, Mr. Gandhi asserted that the hostility Muslims currently face in India was once endured by Dalits in the 1980s. He expressed concern about India’s treatment of Dalits, tribals, minorities, and the poor, emphasizing the Congress party’s efforts to address these disparities.
On his six-day U.S. tour, the Congress leader is set to participate in various activities, such as speaking at Stanford University, addressing the National Press Club in Washington, attending closed-door sessions at think-tanks, and engaging with intellectuals, academics, and lawmakers.
Gandhi stated, “The world is too big and complicated for any person to know everything. That is the disease… There is a group of people in India who are absolutely convinced they know everything.” He went on to quip, “If you sat Modi ji with God, he will explain to God how the universe works and God will get confused about what have I created.”
According to Gandhi, this overconfident group claims to be able to teach history to historians, science to scientists, and warfare to the army. However, he pointed out their unwillingness to listen, saying, “But at the core of it is mediocrity.”
Discussing the inauguration of the new Parliament building and the Sengol row, Gandhi argued that these matters merely served as distractions since the Modi government fails to address pressing issues like unemployment, price rise, and the spread of anger and hatred.
Rahul Gandhi commented that the BJP avoids addressing key issues, resorting to actions like the sceptre incident. He playfully asked, “Aren’t you happy that I’m not lying down?” During his speech, when Khalistan supporters interrupted him, he responded with “mohabbat ki dukaan” before security personnel removed the protesters.
At another event at the University of California’s Silicon Valley Campus in Santa Cruz, Mr. Gandhi expressed confidence that the BJP could be defeated if all opposition parties unite and align properly. He mentioned that the process of bringing opposition parties together is advancing, adding, “So, I think bringing the Opposition together is important, but also aligning the Opposition and making the people of India understand that there is not just a group of Opposition parties that have combined but a proposed way forward for the country.”
Gandhi praised the Bharat Jodo Yatra for offering an alternative vision for India and working towards ending the “politics of hate.” Despite the government’s efforts to halt the yatra, he highlighted its massive support from people across India, from Kanniyakumari in the South to Srinagar in the North.
He commended Indian Americans for representing India in the United States, stating, “You make us all proud.” He continued, “When America says Indian people are extremely intelligent, Indian people are masters of IT, Indian people are respectful… All these ideas that have come, they’ve come because of you and because of your actions and your behavior.”
