Kozhikode, Jan 18: A "fifth-generation dynast" Rahul Gandhi has no chance in Indian politics against a "hard-working and self-made" Narendra Modi, and Kerala did a disastrous thing by electing the the Congress leader to Parliament, historian Ramachandra Guha said here on Friday.
Guha said the reduction of the Congress from a "great party" during the freedom movement to a "pathetic family firm" now is one of the reasons for the ascendency of Hindutva and jingoism in India.
"I have nothing against Rahul Gandhi personally. He is a decent fellow, very well-mannered. But young India does not want a fifth-generation dynast. If you Malyalis make the mistake of re-electing Rahul Gandhi in 2024 too, you are merely handing over an advantage to Narendra Modi," said Guha on the second day of the ongoing Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) during his talk, "Patriotism Vs Jingoism".
Addressing the crowd, full of Keralites, he said, "Kerala, you have done many wonderful things for India, but one of the disastrous thing you did was to elect Rahul Gandhi to Parliament."
"Narendra Modi's great advantage is that he is not Rahul Gandhi. He is self-made. He has run a state for 15 years, he has an administrative experience, he is incredibly hard working and he never takes holidays in Europe. Believe me I am saying all this in all seriousness," he said.
But, even if Rahul Gandhi was "much more intelligent, more hard-working, never took a holiday in Europe, as a fifth generation dynast he still will be at a disadvantage against a self-made person", the 61-year-old author said.
He took on Congress president Sonia Gandhi too who, he said, reminded him of the "late Mughal dynasty" and how aloof they were of the state of their kingdom.
"India is becoming more democratic and less feudal, and the Gandhis just don't realise this. You (Sonia) are in Delhi, your kingdom is shrinking more and more but still your chamchas (sycophants) are telling you that you are still the badshah," he said.
Further, he quoted his teacher and noted Indian sociologist Andre Beteille to describe the story of Nehru-Gandhi family as a classic "reversal of the famous Biblical injunction": the sins of the father will be visited upon seven successive generations.
"In the Nehru's case, it is the sins of the seven successive generations have been re-visited upon Nehru... look at the national debate today. Why is Nehru evoked everytime? Why does Modi always say Nehru ne Kashmir mein yeh kiya, China mein yeh kiya, Triple Talaq mein yeh kiye ... because Rahul Gandhi is there.
"Now if Rahul Gandhi disappears, Modi has to talk about his own policies and why they failed," he said.
According to Guha, "Hypocrisy of the Indian Left -- the fact that they loved other nations more than India", "rise of aggressive nationalism worldwide" and "the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in neighbouring countries" are some other reasons behind the evident leap of Hindutva in India in the recent times.
Historian William Dalrymple, novelists like Benyamin, Namita Gokhale, Chetan Bhagat and journalists Karan Thapar and Rajdeep Sardesai are among the many other writers who will be attending the four-day festival.
The focus theme of KLF 2020 is environment and climate change.
Comments
he is the brother of mangalore information officer Khader shah, i think.
Good boy.. keep it up.. but don't exchange phone numbers ok??
THIS IS CALLED HUMANITY......PLEASE DONT MIX THIS INCIDENT WITH RELIGION....WELL DONE ASHRAF HATS OFF TO YOU..
PROUD TO BE MANGALUREAN....
something fishy is going around on this story... so I am confused with this story
Ma Sha Allha... Job well Done... Dear Haris Bhai,
He is the One Brother of My Close Friend he is Also well Social Worker,
KEEP IT UP BRO...
Mashallah... Well done Haris ,You gave a good lesson for humanity, when someone needs help caste,religion,gender will not come into consideration its only helping each other what it counts.. UR PERFECT EXAMPLE FOR BROTHERHOOD... :) ALLAH GIVE U SAFE HEALTH
The lady may be from a middle class or poor family, that is the reason she may be working as a sales girl. A gold chain may be for her a big asset, it is her hard earned saving money.
so good job done by Haris. Keep it up good work.
couple of Mangaloreans we may find thieves, robbers but 95% of Mangaloreans are good hearted people, who always help each other whenever any difficultly arrives to one another.
If every Mangaloreans do this act then the some particular groups who are jobless will need to find a respectful job. there are lot of looters who loot people in the name of a religion...
BRAVE WORK, APPRECIATED!!!
#7, ALTAF, DOHA, WHY U SEEING EVERY ACTIVITY IN COMMUNAL ANGLE????
chain snatcher trained by job less chaddi & sanghis how can they tolerate my dear brother althaf doh....
Robbery Jihad.. Some may be not happy by his bravery act..
This is how a Muslim should be.This is also Jihad
Where is Thief Photo?
Muslim guy helping Hindu Lady.. Chaddi & Sanghis can not tolerate this.
Excellent work by Mohammed Haris . keep it up
Good job Haris, you are brave.
The name Haris meaning itself is Guardian or Guard.
May Allah bless you
great example for those who Entertained in this kind of situation.
wow we must encourage this, govt should give the reward for his work so more people can come forward to help in these type situation.
because of this people we can roam freely in public. keep it up
appreciable good work haris.
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