The Congress party on Monday intensified its criticism of the BJP-RSS alliance over controversial remarks made by Printu Mahadev, a former leader of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Congress alleges those losing the ideological battle are conspiring to silence Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.
The assault against Gandhi includes a chilling death threat that Congress claims Mahadev publicly issued during a televised debate. Pawan Khera, the head of Congress’ media and publicity department, criticized the lack of action from authorities after a BJP spokesperson suggested that ‘Rahul Gandhi will be shot in the chest’.
Khera emphasized the seriousness of such rhetoric. “No action has been taken against these threats. Why is his security politicized and an environment of fear being created?” he asked in a statement.
He accused those behind the threats of being unable to cope with Gandhi’s growing popularity across the nation, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and claimed their “theft” has been exposed. Khera asserted that Congress will not permit any attempts to resort to violence against its leaders.
“This stinks of a conspiracy and must be exposed,” Khera stated. He continued to share his thoughts via social media, drawing parallels between the current political climate and historical attacks on dissenters. “Every time the RSS fails to defeat the ideology of India, their foot soldiers resort to physical violence,” Khera noted.
On Sunday, Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal sent a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding actions against Mahadev, whose remarks he labelled a blatant incitement to violence. Venugopal warned that failing to act against such rhetoric would suggest the legitimization of violence against political opponents.
Venugopal described the death threat against Gandhi as a significant concern not just for the opposition leader but for the democratic values in India. He insisted that Mahadev’s comments represented a dangerous shift in political dialogue associated with the ruling party.
The allegations of intimidation resonate deeply with the public, as Congress seeks to defend its leader against these “heinous attacks.” Mahadev’s declaration, Venugopal argues, not only threatens Gandhi’s life but also undermines the principles of the Constitution.
He reinforced that these threats encapsulate a broader, toxic atmosphere of hostility towards dissenters in India’s political landscape. Venugopal highlighted, “This is not merely an individual attack, but an assault on the democratic spirit Rahul Gandhi embodies.”
Venugopal has demanded swift justice via the state police to ensure such violent rhetoric has no place in India’s democratic framework.
The Congress party’s response underscores a significant moment in Indian politics as it faces off with the BJP-RSS over ideological and ethical grounds. The alarming rise in threats against political figures has raised urgent calls for accountability and protection of democratic ideals.
As tensions rise, all eyes will be on the federal government’s response to these accusations and the larger implications they may have for the future of political discourse and security in India.