INDIA. New Delhi: While participating in a debate on the motion of thanks on the President Ramnath Kovind’s address in Lok Sabha (Indian Parliament), a member of the parliament from the opposition Rahul Gandhi criticized the Indian government’s foreign policy and countered Prime minister Narendra Modi over several issues including unemployment, Pegasus, poverty & much more on February 2 .
The Single Biggest Crime
Commenting on the government’s foreign policy, Gandhi quoted, “Ask yourself why you are not able to get guests on Republic Day. We are completely isolated & surrounded. You have brought China & Pakistan together & this is the single biggest crime you could have committed against the people of India”.
Furthermore, he added, “The Chinese have a very clear vision of what they want to do. The single biggest strategic goal of India’s foreign policy is to keep Pakistan & China separate & you brought them closer. Do not underestimate the force, the power that stands before us”.
Besides, rejoining this statement, The U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, “I will leave it to the Pakistanis and the PRC to speak to their relationship. I certainly would not – would not endorse those remarks”.
Speaking more he added, “Pakistan is a strategic partner of the United States. We have an important relationship with the government in Islamabad, and it’s a relationship that we value across a number of fronts”.
23 Crore People Back into Poverty
Condemning the union government over unemployment, the Congress MP said, “Government speaks of providing employment. 3 crore youth lost their jobs in 2021. Today India is facing the highest unemployment in 50 years. You talk of Made-in-India, Start-Up India, but the youth did not get the employment they were supposed to. The one they had has disappeared. The UPA government had pulled 27 crores, people, out of poverty in 10 years. The government pushed 23 crores, people, back into poverty.’
Additionally, he stated, “There was not a single word on unemployment in the President`s Address. The youth across the country is looking for jobs. The government is unable to provide them with one. They talk about ‘Made-in-India’.”
“But there cannot be Made-in-India today. The matter has ended because who are the people involved in Made-in-India? Small and medium industry, unorganized sector – whom the Centre has finished. Made-in-India is not going to take place.”
“There are now to Indias – one for the poor & one for the rich. The chasm between these two Indias is increasing continuously”, he added.
“When You Apply Pegasus on an Indian Politician”: RG
Countering the government, Gandhi said, “This confused ideology and confused understanding of this nation India is playing havoc with this country. The judiciary, the Election Commission, Pegasus, these are all instruments to destroy the voice of the union of states.”
“When you apply Pegasus on an Indian politician… it is an attack on people of Tamil Nadu, it is an attack on people of Assam, it is an attack on people of Kerala, it is an attack on people of Bengal. I fear that this attack on the institutional framework of this country is going to get a response from the union of states,” he added.
“The King didn’t Listen”: RG
Slamming the government he stated, “The idea of a king has come back which Congress removed in 1947. Now there is a shehanshah (emperor). Now the instruments of the conversations between our state and people are being attacked by one idea. So, for example, today the idea of Tamil Nadu is excluded from the Indian institution. You are saying get out of here.”
“They don’t have a voice. The farmers of Punjab can stand up but they do not have a voice. They died during the coronavirus pandemic during their protests. But the king didn’t listen,” he added.
Criticizing the government, Gandhi reminded some bits of history as “My great grandfather was jailed for 15 years. My grandmother was shot 32 times. My father was blown to bits. So I know what I am talking about. You are fiddling with something very, very dangerous. I am advising you to stop. If you don’t stop you will create a problem.”
“I learn from all the people. I learn from you. There is another vision that India can be ruled by a stick from the center. Every time that has happened, the stick has broken,” he added.
Also Read: Pegasus Row: Opposition Files Privilege Motion against IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
