Speaking at the inauguration of Congress’s new headquarters, Indira Bhawan, Rahul Gandhi slammed Mohan Bhagwat’s attack on the Indian Constitution. Gandhi called the RSS chief’s remarks insulting to every Indian who fought for freedom, questioning the validity of the Constitution and the independence struggle itself.
BY PC Bureau
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a blistering attack on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday, accusing him of making treasonous remarks by undermining India’s independence and the Constitution. Gandhi’s criticism came in response to Bhagwat’s comment that India did not truly achieve independence in 1947, but only after the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was consecrated last year.
Speaking at the inauguration of Congress’s new headquarters, Indira Bhawan, in New Delhi, Gandhi said, “Mohan Bhagwat has the audacity to inform the nation, every few days, what he thinks about our independence movement and our Constitution. His remarks are a direct insult to every Indian and a blatant attack on the Constitution.”
Mohan Bhagwat’s audacious comment that India didn’t gain true independence in 1947 is an insult to our freedom fighters, every single Indian citizen and an attack on our Constitution. pic.twitter.com/6sMhdxn3xA
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 15, 2025
Gandhi specifically took issue with Bhagwat’s statement that India’s Constitution was not in line with the “true spirit” of the country’s vision, and that it was created after political independence from the British, but not in accordance with India’s “self” or true identity.
“To claim that India did not gain independence in 1947 is an insult to every Indian who fought for and sacrificed for that freedom,” Gandhi added. He went on to accuse Bhagwat of undermining the very foundation of the nation’s democratic values, suggesting that in any other country, such statements would lead to arrest and prosecution.
LIVE: Inauguration of the new AICC HQ | New Delhi https://t.co/l3l16riNF3
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 15, 2025
Gandhi also called out the RSS chief’s disregard for the country’s Constitution, calling his remarks treasonous. “In any other country, he would be arrested and tried for such statements. We must stop listening to this nonsense and challenge the attempts to rewrite our history and our values,” Gandhi stated, emphasizing that the remarks were not just an ideological disagreement but an attack on the core principles of the Indian state.
“Fighting the Indian State, Not Just BJP-RSS”
Rahul Gandhi framed the ongoing struggle as one not merely between political parties but as a deeper ideological battle between Congress and the Indian state. He emphasized, “Our ideology, like the RSS ideology, is thousands of years old, and we have been fighting their ideology for just as long. This is not a fair fight. If you think we are fighting a political party, you have misunderstood the situation. The BJP and RSS have taken control of every institution in the country. We are now fighting not just the BJP and RSS, but the Indian state itself.”
Allegations Against Indian Institutions and the Media
Gandhi’s speech took aim at the state of Indian institutions, particularly the media, which he accused of being compromised. “The media is no longer doing its job. People know it’s compromised,” Gandhi remarked, reflecting growing concerns about the erosion of free speech and independent journalism in the country.
Election Commission Under Scrutiny
The Congress leader also directed his ire at the Election Commission, accusing it of failing to ensure transparency during elections. Highlighting the sudden appearance of nearly one crore new voters in Maharashtra between the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections, Gandhi raised questions about the credibility of the electoral process, calling for the Election Commission to provide a full explanation.
Alleged BJP Agenda to Suppress Minority and Dalit Voices
Gandhi continued his criticism by accusing the BJP of attempting to suppress the voices of minorities, Dalits, backward castes, and tribals. He argued that the ruling party’s agenda was to create a one-man rule and silence these marginalized communities. “They want India to be run by one man, crushing the voices of Dalits, minorities, backward castes, and tribals,” Gandhi stated.
Congress: The Only Party to Challenge the BJP’s Agenda
In a forceful closing statement, Gandhi asserted that only Congress could halt the alleged agenda of the BJP. “No other party can stop them. The Congress party is the only one that can,” he declared. Gandhi also expressed his discontent with those in power for disregarding the national flag and the Constitution, claiming that their vision for India was starkly different from the Congress party’s.
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Congress HQ In
Earlier in the day, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the historical significance of the Indira Gandhi Bhawan. He noted that the building, a long-awaited project, was a realization of a vision laid out by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952. “The establishment of this headquarters marks a milestone in the party’s history and fulfills Nehru’s dream of a permanent Congress office,” Kharge said.
A Historic Building for a Historic Party
Located at 9A Kotla Road, New Delhi, the Indira Gandhi Bhawan is more than just an office space; it is a symbol of Congress’s rich legacy, which spans over 139 years. Designed to support the party’s modern administrative needs, the building stands as a testament to Congress’s enduring influence and its ongoing challenge to the BJP-RSS dominance in Indian politics.
