Rahul Gandhi Slams BJP-RSS ‘Cowardice’ in Colombia Speech, Warns of Assault on India’s Democracy

At a South American university forum, the opposition leader invokes foreign minister’s China remarks to critique ruling ideology, while highlighting economic woes and institutional erosion amid a multi-nation tour.

Medellín, Colombia – In a pointed address at Colombia’s EIA University, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday decried what he called an inherent “cowardice” at the core of the BJP and RSS worldview, drawing sharp contrasts between perceived aggression toward the vulnerable and evasion against stronger foes. Speaking at the ‘The Future is Today’ conference, Gandhi also raised alarms over mounting threats to India’s democratic fabric, framing them as existential risks to the nation’s pluralistic ethos.

Gandhi, kicking off a 10-day itinerary across South America that includes stops in Brazil, Peru, and Chile, referenced External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s 2023 comments on China’s military edge, where Jaishankar reportedly questioned the feasibility of confrontation given the power imbalance. “Look at what the foreign minister said: China is far stronger than us—how do we even take them on?” Gandhi remarked, interpreting it as emblematic of a mindset that “targets the defenseless while fleeing from the mighty. That’s the essence of BJP-RSS behavior.”

The remarks, delivered to an audience of academics and students, extended into a broader critique of governance in India. Gandhi asserted that democratic institutions are being systematically undermined, with ruling forces seeking to bend every agency to their will. “Those in power want every body to operate solely on their terms—this strikes at the heart of India’s spirit,” he said during an interactive session. He emphasized dissent’s vital role in democracy, warning that suppressing opposition voices erodes the diversity that has long defined the country.

In responses to queries on global polarization, Gandhi zeroed in on India’s domestic challenges, noting the youth’s battle for employment amid factory closures echoing those in the US. He advocated drawing lessons from China’s manufacturing prowess but insisted on pursuing growth through democratic channels, not authoritarian suppression. “We can’t muzzle public voices like they do there,” he stressed, pointing to stark inequities: high-end tech access confined to just 2-3% of the population, limiting broader economic momentum beyond services.

On health and education, Gandhi highlighted AI’s transformative potential but underscored the need for robust public provisions to uplift the underprivileged. “No nation thrives when the majority relies on private care without state support,” he noted, aligning with his party’s push for equitable reforms. Addressing job scarcity—blamed squarely on demonetization and GST’s fallout—he accused the current regime of funneling economic control to a select few, fostering “centralized graft” nationwide.

Gandhi dismissed fears of AI displacing professions, likening it to past tech panics around computers, and reflected on innovation’s dual edges: wielded oppressively in colonial struggles yet ethically by independence icons. On mental health, he linked rising distress to opportunity droughts, rejecting China’s population controls in favor of job creation. Regarding superpower trajectories, he clarified India’s aspirations: “We don’t seek global dominance—every nation charts its own course.”

The speech drew swift backlash from the BJP, which accused Gandhi of peddling anti-India narratives overseas. Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari labeled it as “born of envy and rage” against a resurgent economy under Prime Minister Modi. Fellow spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala invoked Gandhi’s past controversies, including vows to “battle the Indian state,” rebukes from the Supreme Court over military remarks, and habitual challenges to judicial and electoral bodies post-defeats.

This isn’t Gandhi’s first overseas address stirring debate; prior trips to the US, UK, Italy, South Korea, and Cambodia have fueled claims of prioritizing personal agendas over party duties, from skipping key events to alleged campaign disruptions.

Gandhi’s tour underscores his evolving role as Leader of Opposition, blending foreign outreach with domestic advocacy. As echoes of his words ripple back home, they amplify ongoing tensions over institutional autonomy and economic equity in India’s polarized landscape.