Union Minister Piyush Goyal has launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following his recent meeting with US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in the United States. Goyal has accused Gandhi of repeatedly defaming India during his international visits and criticized him for associating with figures he views as hostile to Indian interests.
In his statement, Goyal expressed strong disapproval of Gandhi’s international engagements, asserting, “He (Rahul Gandhi) has again and again defamed India in his international visits. It seems as if he goes abroad to criticize Indians and his motherland.” Goyal’s remarks come in the wake of Gandhi’s meeting with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a prominent politician known for her critical stance on India’s policies, especially regarding Kashmir.
Goyal specifically targeted Omar, labeling her as a “known anti-India propagandist and a pro-Pakistan” figure. He accused her of criticizing India’s stance on Kashmir and suggested that she supports a separate Kashmir, which is contrary to India’s territorial integrity. “Such anti-India forces… have become friends of the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi,” Goyal alleged, implying that Gandhi’s associations with such figures are damaging to India’s global image.
The Union Minister further criticized Gandhi for making what he described as “obnoxious statements on international soil.” Goyal claimed that Gandhi’s comments portray India in a negative light, accusing him of turning into a “fake news and propaganda machine against India.” He highlighted several criticisms Gandhi has reportedly made, including claims that India is unsafe for certain communities, that religious freedoms are restricted, and that caste-based biases persist on social media.
Goyal’s remarks also included a condemnation of Gandhi’s portrayal of India as a nation that does not value skilled individuals and is characterized by hatred and intolerance. He suggested that Gandhi’s statements reflect a broader negative mindset within the Congress party.
In conclusion, Goyal called on Rahul Gandhi to redirect his focus towards supporting India rather than undermining its interests abroad. “I urge Rahul Gandhi to care for India, rather than work against the interests of India on foreign soil,” Goyal said.
The criticism from Goyal underscores the ongoing political friction between the ruling BJP and the Congress party, particularly concerning issues of national image and international diplomacy. As of now, Rahul Gandhi has not publicly responded to these allegations.
