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
ya kis ki hadiis lay kai ahyai hi. lanaat laanaat laanat ho Fatima a.s kay qatilu pai. maavya pai lanaat. yazeed par lanat aur ius ka chanay waloo pai lanat
Because there is om and moon star sign in a flag. People like viren kotian. Wont comment.
No real Muslim will hurt himself or hate others.......this is act of terror and cowardness
This practice is non-islamic and started by enemies of Islam.
THEY DEFINITELY DON'T REPRESENT ISLAM.
WE THANK ALLAH FOR GUIDING US TO HIS STRAIGHT PATH.
MAY ALLAH GUIDE THEM TO. AMEEN YA RABBAL ALAMEEN..
Really a pathetic. Uncultured way of behavior. No one can advice them. This is not ISLAM. None of the religion is having this type of act. I feel sorry about innocent children participating this type of worship. May Allah (swt) guide them in true path.
PEOPLE OF HELL.
Allah Ke Momin Bando, ye hamara farz hai ke hamain inko is jahalat se bahar nikale. Aaj ke tatrik me Islam ko hamse hi katra Hai. Jitna ho sakte utna Dawah ki kaam karo, Baki sab Allah pe chod do.
Aur media ko Asli Islam ki Robaro Karvao, take e propoganda nahi kare.
People are shedding the blood and the women are taking photos of the same. Really pathetic. What happened to their intellect? The non-Muslims thinks that this is part of Islam, and if this is the way people does, then they never want to come closer to Islam.
It is unislamic....and shirk.....very bad people
Really stupid. Is there any leader among them who can teach them about this evil practices? Why only martyrdom of grandsons of Prophet (pbuh), why not martyrdom of so many sahabas (p.b.u.t)???
Of course we have to mourn on the death of sahabas (p.b.u.t) but not this way, neither the sahabas (p.b.u.t) never did this way when their compatriot passed away, neither Prophet (p.bu.h) advised to do this way. Then where did these people get the idea of observing martyrdom in this way that we cannot find in the teachings of Islam? Obviously from other religions, may be from Judaism? Really shiaism is a black dot on the face of Islam.
Shaheedon ke naam pe Maatam Nahi manaya jatha hai ye sarasar galath hai
these are black dot on Isalm. Utterly Nonsense.
Prophet Muhammad pbuh said to fast on these days. it is better in the sight of ALLAH. and he never mentioned to harm ourselves as the shia do now a days.
Those do worship as per their desires and not keeping the word of Prophet Muhammad pbuh are a deviant sect.
Muslims believe in all prophets including Moses pbuh...
This day is the day when Moses defeated the mightiest army of his time with the miracle of ALLAH. the parting of the sea.
It is the better for a true muslims to FAST rather than following their own desire in worshiping the man made rituals.
Utter Nonsense!!
One piece of Advice, donate your BLOOD to the Blood Bank on this day instead of spilling it on the road, at least you could save a life or two, which make more sense.
Cheers!!!
Masjid ya Mandir!!!????
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