Union Minister Anurag Thakur has fired back at former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for his recent statement made in the United States, accusing Gandhi of habitually disrespecting India during his foreign trips.
Thakur criticized Gandhi, stating, "Whenever Rahul Gandhi travels abroad, he insults India. Prime Minister Modi has engaged with nearly 24 world leaders and held over 50 meetings during his recent foreign visit. However, when the Australian Prime Minister referred to PM Modi as 'the Boss,' Rahul Gandhi couldn't tolerate it."
The Union Minister further highlighted the progress made under PM Modi's leadership, remarking, "During the UPA government's tenure, India was among the struggling economies of the world. But today, under the guidance of PM Modi, India has become the fifth-largest economy globally.
The traditions of India were stifled during Gandhi's time, as he often looked towards Western culture for inspiration. On the contrary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has successfully revived Indian culture, civilization, and its glorious history."
Referring to Rahul Gandhi's previous statements, Thakur asserted, "If we look at his past remarks, Rahul Gandhi seems to perceive India not as a unified country but merely as a union of states. He consistently questions India's progress. What is Rahul Gandhi trying to achieve through these sponsored programs? Has he limited himself to traveling abroad solely to criticize his own country?"
During his ongoing six-day visit to the US, Rahul Gandhi claimed that India is being governed by individuals who are arrogantly convinced of their knowledge, referring to it as a "disease."
Expanding on his comments, Gandhi said, "Even if you sit Prime Minister Modi next to God, he would try to explain to Him how the universe functions, leaving God perplexed about His own creation."
The Congress leader expressed concerns about the attack on India's tradition of respecting diverse languages and religions, stating, "The essence of India, the teachings of great figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Guru Nanak Ji, lies in not claiming to know everything. It is a 'disease' for certain groups in India to believe they possess absolute knowledge."
He further criticized the BJP, claiming they attempt to lecture scientists on science, historians on history, and the Army on warfare, suggesting that mediocrity is at the core of their approach as they lack a true understanding of these subjects.
In response to Rahul Gandhi's statements, Anurag Thakur defended the government's commitment to progress, highlighting the transformation achieved under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. He urged Gandhi to focus on constructive efforts for the nation rather than engaging in constant criticism while abroad. (Edited)