Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his statements made in the US and said that maligning the country’s image in such a manner on foreign soil was an “anti-national” act. Addressing the Indian-American community in Dallas on Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that love, respect and humility are missing from Indian politics. He also criticised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, saying that it believes that India is “an idea”.
While interacting with students at the University of Texas at Dallas, Gandhi also stressed on the need for India to focus on manufacturing and said while India, the US and other countries in the West are facing the problem of unemployment, China is not as it dominates global production.
“Rahul Gandhi is the leader of the opposition (in Lok Sabha) and the leader of the opposition is accountable to the country. Tarnishing the country’s image abroad is an anti-national act and no patriot indulges in such acts,” Chouhan told reporters here. The Union minister claimed that Rahul Gandhi is frustrated with the Congress’ loss in the Lok Sabha elections and is expressing his frustration in a baseless manner.
Chauhan, who was here to attend the death of a relative, targeted Rahul Gandhi and said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has prepared lakhs of workers who have dedicated their lives for India. He said that the politics of parties like Congress, BJP etc. should be limited to the nation and one should feel that he is representing the country while staying abroad.
The Union Agriculture Minister said, “When I went to America when Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister, I was asked if the Indian Prime Minister was inferior. At that time I had replied that the Prime Minister of India can never be inferior.” Chouhan criticized Gandhi’s remark that everything in India is ‘Made in China’ and said that such statements are tantamount to insulting the skilled workforce of the country.
He said, ‘It used to be the case earlier too when very few things were imported. Even now, very few things are imported as per the requirement in the country. But the skilled labourers and employees of India are making many things in a Swadeshi way, but Rahul Gandhi is insulting them. Rahul’s roots are not connected to the soil of India. He has nothing to do with the Indian people, their culture and traditions.’
On Gandhi’s remark that nobody is afraid of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chouhan said it is indeed true ‘because people love Modiji and that is why they have made him the Prime Minister for the third consecutive time.’ Chouhan said under Modi’s leadership India is becoming ‘aatmanirbhar’ and will soon become the world’s third largest economy. Taking a dig at Gandhi, the senior BJP leader said no one can become big with a small heart.
Kiren Rijiju also raised questions
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in the US and said he has once again shown his “immaturity” by speaking against India and abusing the BJP and the RSS abroad.
Rijiju said, ‘I am not interested in commenting on whatever Rahul Gandhi has said. He has developed a habit of speaking against India, BJP and RSS when he goes abroad. He never refrains from doing so. By doing this, he has once again shown his immaturity as always.’
Rijiju alleged that Rahul and his ecosystem want to speak against India and abuse the BJP, RSS and all nationalist organisations. He said, “They want to abuse the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India. They have spoken against the judicial system of the country, our practices, democratic norms that are known abroad.” The BJP leader said, “Who invites them to the US, UK and other places, you know it. So their motive is very clear.”
