Rahul Gandhi Flags ‘Attack on Democracy’ in India, BJP Hits Back

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has described what he called an “attack on democracy in India” as the country’s “single biggest risk,” prompting a strong rebuttal from the BJP, which accused him of attempting to “divide India” during an overseas visit.

Gandhi made the remarks during an interaction at Colombia’s EIA University, where he sharply criticised 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,” he said. When asked to elaborate, he added: “The single biggest risk is the attack on democracy that is taking place in India.”

Highlighting India’s diversity, Gandhi said the country’s democratic system allows citizens of various religions, languages, and traditions to engage in dialogue and express their ideas. “Currently, there is a wholesale attack on that democratic system in India,” he stated.

He further contrasted India’s democracy with China’s authoritarian model. “With so many languages, religions, and traditions, it is vital to give them space to thrive. We cannot do what China does: suppress people and run an authoritarian system. Our democratic design will not accept that,” he said.

The BJP swiftly responded, accusing Gandhi of maligning India on foreign soil. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla described him as a “Leader of Propaganda,” writing on X: “Once again Rahul Gandhi behaves like LoP – goes abroad and attacks Indian democracy! After all, he wants to fight the Indian state. Sometimes he calls for foreign intervention; now this—targeting institutions from Sena to Judiciary to Constitution to Sanatan.”

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also criticised Gandhi’s remarks, telling news agency ANI: “It has become a habit for Rahul Gandhi to defame the country’s constitutional institutions abroad. The people of India do not approve of this behaviour.”