Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has stirred discussions with his latest remarks, saying that he does not harbor hatred for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and instead empathizes with him. Speaking at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., during his three-day visit to the US, Gandhi clarified his stance, stating, “You will be surprised, but I don’t actually hate Mr Modi. He has got a point of view, I don’t agree with his point of view, but I don’t hate him.”
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha explained that while he and Modi have divergent perspectives, he views empathy and compassion as more productive approaches to political disagreements. “It’s not that I think he is my enemy… I have empathy and compassion for what he is doing,” said Gandhi, adding that such a mindset was healthier than turning politics into a personal confrontation.
These comments come amid sharp criticism from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused Rahul Gandhi of using international platforms to insult India. The Congress leader’s statements have often triggered political disputes, especially when he discusses the ruling party and its ideological parent, the RSS, abroad.
Gandhi also addressed several other issues during his US tour, including gender inequality and the BJP/RSS’s stance on women, accusing them of adhering to a regressive mindset. He highlighted the ideological clash between the Congress’s vision of India as a “multiplicity of ideas” and the RSS’s belief in “one idea.”
Rahul Gandhi’s visit is part of the Congress’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its international presence and reach out to the Indian diaspora, ahead of the upcoming national elections. However, his criticism of the BJP, both domestically and abroad, has continued to draw strong reactions from the ruling party.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge defended Gandhi, asserting that he has never defamed India.