‘Attack On Democracy Single Biggest Risk’: Rahul Gandhi’s Colombia Comments Draw BJP Backlash – Delhi News Daily

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said India is a country of multiple religions, traditions, languages and ideas, and its democratic system gives everyone space. (Image: PTI/File)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said the “attack on democracy in India” is the “single biggest risk”, to which the BJP reacted by saying the Leader of Opposition is once again “trying to divide India” during a foreign visit.

Gandhi’s comments came during his interaction at Colombia’s EIA University, where he targeted the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.

“…There are also fault lines within the Indian structure. There are risks that India has to overcome,” Gandhi said. Asked what those risks are, he said: “The single biggest risk is the attack on democracy that is taking place in India.”

Gandhi said India is a country of multiple religions, traditions, languages and ideas, and its democratic system gives everyone space to have that “conversation”.

“Currently, there is a wholesale attack on that democratic system in India,” he said.

He said with so many different languages, conceptions, and traditions, India cannot afford to be “like China”, which has an oppressive authoritarian system.

“The other risk is the rift between different parts of the country. Some 16-17 different languages and different religions. Allowing these different traditions to thrive, giving them space to express themselves, is very important for India. We cannot do what China does: suppress people and run an authoritarian system. Our design will not accept that,” he said.

The BJP, however, strongly responded to the Congress MP’s comments and accused him of badmouthing India on foreign soil. Calling him a “Leader of Propaganda”, the party said he “goes abroad and attacks Indian democracy”.