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    Rahul Gandhi likens Chinese action on LAC with Russia's Ukraine invasion; BJP hits back

    Synopsis

    ​​While alleging a crisis in the Indian democracy under the Modi government, he said the Western and other democracies must make themselves aware of what is happening in India as it can have an impact on other democracies as well. He once again compared RSS to "Muslim Brotherhood" and alleged the Sangh has "captured all institutions".

    **EDS: IMAGE @RahulGandhi** London: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in conversation...PTI
    Gandhi said, "The basic principle that has been applied in Ukraine is that the Russians have told the Ukrainians that 'we do not accept the relationship you have with Europe and America, and if you do not change this relationship, we will change your territory and we will challenge your territorial integrity'.
    New Delhi: Congress' Rahul Gandhi told a British Indian gathering in London that the Chinese intrusion of the Indian border was very much comparable to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and lamented that when he told the same to the external affairs minister, the latter thought it was ludicrous.

    While alleging a crisis in the Indian democracy under the Modi government, he said the Western and other democracies must make themselves aware of what is happening in India as it can have an impact on other democracies as well. He once again compared RSS to "Muslim Brotherhood" and alleged the Sangh has "captured all institutions".

    Asked about his views on the Chinese intrusion, Gandhi said, "The basic principle that has been applied in Ukraine is that the Russians have told the Ukrainians that 'we do not accept the relationship you have with Europe and America, and if you do not change this relationship, we will change your territory and we will challenge your territorial integrity'. In my view, that is what is happening on the borders of my country. China does not want us to have a relationship with the United States and it is threatening us by saying that if you continue to have this relationship with the United States, we will take action and that's why their troops are in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. So, in my view, the basic idea behind the troops in Arunachal and Ladakh is similar to what is happening in Ukraine. I mentioned this to the foreign minister. He completely disagreed and he thinks this is ludicrous." Sam Pitroda mostly lines up Gandhi's engagements abroad.

    Gandhi repeated most of his charges against the Modi regime including that of "creating" social strife and a crisis for Indian democracy. Asked whether it was just a Congress narrative after defeat to BJP, Gandhi said, "As far as coercion, violence is concerned, it's not just Congress saying... You just have to travel in India to see what is being done to the Dalit community, to the tribal community and the minorities. It is not that Congress is saying it. It is being seen in the articles in the foreign press all the time that there is a serious problem."

    When asked "what would you like London, Paris, Berlin and all the other capitals of the governments and the people to do about this", Gandhi said: "It is an internal problem and an Indian problem and the solution is going to come from inside and not from outside. However, the scale of Indian democracy means that democracy in India is a global public good. If Indian democracy collapses, in my view, democracy on the planet suffers a very serious, possibly fatal, blow. So, it is important for you too. It's not just important for us. We will deal with our problem but you must be aware of this... What you do about it is, of course, up to you. But, you must be aware of what is happening."



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    ( Originally published on Mar 07, 2023 )
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