Rahul Gandhi Criticises BJP-RSS, Questions PM Modi's Foreign Policy Over 'Hugging' Leaders

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP and RSS, accusing them of having little understanding of India’s history, philosophy and contemporary social realities. Addressing the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention in New Delhi, Gandhi described the BJP-RSS combine as a “bunch of jokers” and argued that the Congress would continue opposing what he characterised as an attempt to impose a political order on the country.

Gandhi also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach to foreign policy, alleging that it had been reduced to personal gestures towards foreign leaders. Referring to what he described as Modi’s tendency to “hug” world leaders, Gandhi demonstrated his point on stage by hugging Rachnatmak Congress chief Sandeep Dikshit. He questioned the idea that such gestures represented the essence of foreign policy and argued that India’s international engagement should be understood in a broader strategic context.

The Congress leader also claimed that the RSS had moved away from what he described as its original social base and had increasingly become aligned with large corporate interests. He specifically named industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani while making the allegation. Gandhi further linked this transformation to developments during successive governments and claimed that the organisation had lost its earlier character. These remarks were part of a broader criticism of what he portrayed as the growing influence of big business on politics.

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Gandhi also attacked the government over its handling of protests and public expression, referring to student demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. He argued that the political contest was between those seeking to impose an order on society and those seeking greater space to express themselves. He maintained that the Congress would continue to challenge the government while doing so without hate or violence, stressing values such as love, brotherhood and non-violence.

Gandhi further targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah and alleged that the government was increasingly concerned by public opposition and political mobilisation. He claimed that the BJP and RSS could not prevent people from expressing themselves and argued that political structures built around imposed order would eventually face resistance. He also questioned why Prime Minister Modi does not hold regular press conferences, making further allegations about the Prime Minister’s engagement with the media.

Calling for continued political pressure on the government, Gandhi said the Congress would continue its campaign against Modi and Shah while maintaining that its struggle was rooted in democratic expression. He said the party's objective was to ensure that all sections of society could express themselves, including those whose views differ from the Congress and its opponents. His remarks at the convention marked another strongly worded attack on the BJP and RSS over politics, governance, corporate influence and the government's approach to dissent.

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