New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday criticized Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat for his statement that India achieved real independence after the construction of the Ram temple. Speaking at the inauguration of Congress’ new headquarters, ‘Indira Bhawan,’ in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi said such remarks insult the sacrifices made during the freedom movement and go against the spirit of the Constitution.
“There is a fight between two ideologies in this country,” Rahul Gandhi said. “On one side is our ideology, which is rooted in the Constitution, and on the other side is the ideology of the RSS, which opposes it. Our ideology is not new, it has existed for thousands of years and has been fighting the RSS ideology for just as long.”
#WATCH | Delhi: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says “Do not think that we are fighting a fair fight. There is no fairness in this. If you believe that we are fighting a political organisation called the BJP or RSS, you have not understood what is going on. The BJP and… pic.twitter.com/wuZRnxDysB
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Rahul Gandhi criticises RSS chief
Rahul Gandhi said, “The people in power today do not salute the tricolour, do not believe in the national flag, and do not respect the Constitution. They want India to be run by one man, by a hidden, secretive society. They want to crush the voices of Dalits, minorities, backward castes and tribals. This is their agenda.”
Referring to Bhagwat’s remarks, Rahul Gandhi said, “Mohan Bhagwat has the audacity to publicly declare that India did not gain independence in 1947, and that the real independence came only after the construction of the Ram temple. What he said is akin to treason because it questions the validity of the Constitution and insults the entire freedom struggle. If such a statement were made in any other country, he would have been arrested.”
He criticized RSS chief further, saying, “His remarks are an insult to every Indian. We must stop tolerating this nonsense because they think they can keep repeating lies to rewrite history. We will not allow this.”
Rahul Gandhi said that Congress is the only force capable of stopping the agenda of the BJP and RSS. “There is no other party in this country that can stop them. Congress is the only party with a strong ideological foundation. Our ideology is based on inclusivity and respect for the Constitution, unlike theirs,” he said.
Sonia Gandhi inaugurates Congress’ new headquarters
The inauguration of ‘Indira Bhawan,’ Congress’ new headquarters on Kotla Marg in Delhi, was attended by senior party leaders, including Congress Parliamentary Party president Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi officially opened the new premises, marking the end of Congress’ 47-year-long association with its office at 24 Akbar Road.
Addressing party leaders and workers, Sonia Gandhi said, “Indira Bhawan symbolizes our party’s commitment to democracy, justice, and the people of this country. This new chapter will strengthen our resolve to continue fighting for the values we stand for.”
What Mohan Bhagwat said
Two days earlier, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya should be celebrated as “Pratishtha Dwadashi” because it marks the day India gained real independence after centuries of foreign invasions.
