Rahul Gandhi Breaks Silence, Praises IYC Protesters as 'Babbar Shers'
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday broke his silence regarding the protest at the AI Summit venue, which led to a police crackdown on members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC). In a strong statement, he expressed pride in the "babbar shers" (young lions) of the Youth Congress, who he said protested against the "compromised Prime Minister" in the national interest.
Delhi Police Arrests Spark Condemnation from Congress Leadership
The remark came as Delhi Police arrested IYC members involved in the demonstration. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge swiftly condemned the arrests, while Rahul Gandhi characterized them as evidence of a dictatorial attitude and cowardice. In a post on social media platform X, he asserted, "Congress strongly stands by the lion-hearted members of Youth Congress. Showing the mirror of truth to power is not a crime but a patriotic act."
Rahul Gandhi further claimed that the IYC members were arrested for exposing the truth about a deal with the United States. Echoing this sentiment, Kharge remarked, "Congress is never scared, Congress workers are not cowards. Modi is a coward. He is so paralysed by fear that he is unable to come to parliament to defend his government's policies."
BJP Fires Back, Labels Rahul Gandhi a 'Running Joke'
In a sharp rebuttal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday stated that Rahul Gandhi has reduced himself and the Congress party to a "running joke". The BJP alleged that he exemplifies anarchic conduct, even as it rejected his reiteration of the "surrender" allegation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi concerning the trade agreement with the US.
BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj told reporters, "The way he was spewing venom against PM Modi in Madhya Pradesh today was not just undignified and undemocratic but also anarchic." She questioned whether Rahul Gandhi has become a "mouthpiece of anti-India forces", adding, "His statements reflect nothing but ignorance. He is behaving like an uninformed, immature, and stubborn child."
The political clash highlights escalating tensions between the Congress and BJP over protest actions and policy criticisms, with both sides trading barbs in a heated exchange that underscores the deepening rift in Indian politics.
