Rahul Gandhi, Congress’s prominent voice, has once again stirred a political storm with provocative remarks made during an interaction with students at the University of Chile today, drawing sharp ire from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking candidly about India’s education and caste systems, Gandhi’s assertion that “independent thinking” and “scientific consciousness” are under siege in India has been branded as anti-national propaganda by BJP leaders, escalating tensions between the ruling party and the opposition.

Addressing a student’s query about reforming India’s education system, Gandhi emphasized fostering curiosity and open inquiry, using a student named Amrita as an example. “I want to protect her ability to ask questions, raise issues, and think freely without constraints,” he said, before dropping a bombshell: “This is under tremendous attack in India right now. Free thinking, openness, and a scientific, logical approach are being stifled.” His comments, shared widely via a video on his social media, framed the past decade under the BJP-led government as a period of intellectual regression, accusing it of dismantling scientific rigor in education.

Gandhi didn’t stop there. He critiqued India’s social fabric, noting that the education system predominantly reflects upper-caste perspectives, sidelining the histories, traditions, and contributions of the 90% of the population from middle, lower, and tribal castes. “Their voices deserve a place in our curriculum,” he argued, advocating for a more inclusive framework to bridge systemic inequities. These remarks, delivered during his recent South American tour, have reignited debates about caste representation and educational reform back home.

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The BJP pounced, with spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, a former Congress member, leading the charge. “Rahul Gandhi isn’t the Leader of the Opposition—he’s the leader of propaganda and hypocrisy,” Poonawalla fumed, accusing him of habitually tarnishing India’s image abroad. “He attacks our constitutional bodies, democracy, judiciary, and sovereignty. He claims free thinking is dead, but that’s the reality in his own party—look at Shashi Tharoor, sidelined for defending India’s armed forces!” Poonawalla’s retort referenced internal Congress dynamics, suggesting dissenters face punishment under Gandhi’s leadership.

The controversy underscores a recurring flashpoint: Gandhi’s foreign critiques often draw accusations of undermining national pride, while his supporters argue he’s spotlighting critical domestic issues on a global stage. With India’s political landscape already polarized ahead of key state elections, this Chile episode amplifies the BJP’s narrative of Congress as disconnected and disloyal. Yet, Gandhi’s push for educational inclusivity and intellectual freedom resonates with his base, framing him as a reformer challenging entrenched power structures.

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