In a heated exchange dominating headlines, BJP spokesperson Gaurv Bhatia tore into Rahul Gandhi and Congress on Wednesday, branding their support for a US religious freedom report as a blatant attempt to tarnish India’s image. The controversy stems from an official Congress post amplifying USCIRF findings that target RAW and RSS with severe recommendations.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Bhatia said he spoke with a ‘heavy heart’ about the post, which invokes calls for US President to ban RSS activities, seize assets, and bar its members from entry. It also recalls Patel’s post-Gandhi assassination ban in 1948, framing RSS as a persistent threat.
‘From preaching love, Gandhi now sells anti-India narratives,’ Bhatia quipped, accusing Congress’s social media of a deliberate smear campaign. He highlighted the report’s push for targeted restrictions on RAW, India’s external intelligence arm, warning that such stances align opposition with Pakistan’s interests.
Gandhi’s track record came under fire too—his interactions with critics like Ilhan Omar were cited as evidence of questionable alliances. The broader USCIRF document paints a grim picture of religious freedoms in India, noting rising discrimination against minorities and legislative moves like CAA as flashpoints.
This episode reveals fault lines in Indian politics, where international critiques become weapons in partisan fights. BJP vows to counter what it sees as foreign meddling amplified by rivals, while Congress likely views it as holding power accountable. The saga promises to echo through election cycles, shaping public discourse on nationalism and rights.