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
Yes those who keep note counting machine at home to count looted money are luteras.
Yes Shaji you are quite correct. Eshvarappa ki zaban pisal gayi.
Very Filthy and dirty person, look at his face and mouth it recall a dirty animal, his comments will take BJP to the bad days that’s why 3 muslims belongs to BJP killd Dipak Rao entire nation knows this fact except Eshwarappa…Useless comments from very useless person.
I think this hate monger gave this statement in error in place of saying "Hindu Killers are with BJP and good Hindus are with Congress + other parties". this hate monger has given this statement in frustration smelling defeat in Karnataka in next election.
"with us or with enemy" is infamous dictum of Fascism & Nazism. This gutter mouth only repeating it. India had Varnashram (Chaturvarn), but now we have PANCHVARN i.e. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Shudras and SAFFRONISTS ( the last varna is neither humans nor animals but worse than demons, damned liars, anti-women, anti-nationals and terrorists of worst kind. Check the speech / action of any Sanghi to verify the truth.
Devils also see Muslims as threats to his plan of taking the humanity to hell forever..Wake up guys There is only ONE GOD ALLAH, Know about OUR CREATOR who created U Me and all that exists and When U know your LORD U will definetly recognise the supporters of the devils. Dont fall trap to such leaders and commit voilence and killing people by the orders of the agents of the devils. When death comes no Agents will come to save U if u have committed attrocites against Humanity.
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