New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mohan Bhagwat, for suggesting that India did not achieve true independence in 1947. Instead, Bhagwat claimed that real independence came with the recent inauguration of the Ayodhya temple. Gandhi characterized these comments as comparable to "treason," asserting that in any other country, such a statement would lead to arrest.
Gandhi expressed his concerns, stating, "The BJP and RSS have taken control of every institution in our nation. We are now in a battle against the BJP, the RSS, and the Indian state." He accused the RSS and BJP of wanting to govern India through a "secret society," and he emphasized that Congress stands firmly against this ideology, drawing upon the legacies of figures like Shiva, Guru Nanak, and Kabir.
During a speech at the inauguration of the new Congress headquarters, Rahul Gandhi strongly condemned Bhagwat’s remarks. He said, "What Bhagwat stated is treasonous because it undermines our Constitution and the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters. To claim that India didn’t gain true independence in 1947 is an insult to every Indian." He urged people to stop listening to what he referred to as "nonsense" that is frequently repeated by figures like Bhagwat.
Gandhi pointed out that it was significant that Bhagwat’s comments came right before the unveiling of Congress’s new office, which he described as a product of the sacrifices made by millions. He reinforced that the Constitution is a direct result of the freedom struggle and stressed that Bhagwat’s statement attacks the essence of that struggle.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also denounced Bhagwat’s statements, emphasizing that the BJP and RSS did not take part in India’s fight for independence and suggesting their focus on the Ayodhya temple misrepresents the concept of true independence. Rahul Gandhi’s strong critique highlighted his belief that only Congress has the power to challenge the ruling coalition’s influence over the nation.
