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
Masha Allah
Congratulatuions Sister Fathima all the very best for your future.
Mabrook Fathima Keep it up
Mash Allah , Great Job Done By Fathima and one of the toughest Job on earth is Indian CA, Great Fathima you made Muslim Community Proud .
Masha Allaha,,, Good Achivement.. keep it up.. sis.
I think he is talking about His own Party.
KESARU = RSS, KAMALA = BJP
Great achievements fathima hamza congratulations, let fulfill your future studying dream Masha allah.
Sudhar Javo Naren. Dont waste your valuable life. Be clean minded and clean hearted. Pray for your right guidance from Almighty God.
Ma Sha Allah Sister.. May Allah bless you in all your future steps..
Frustated person is disliking all comments. :D Sudhaar jaao yaar abhi bhi bahuth waqt hey
Congratulations fatima .may Allah bless you in good health and knowledge
kesarinalli kamala...
Masha Allah alf mabrook. Excellent performance.keep it up
Fathima ,you made your parents ,family and our community proud.
you made us BWF very proud, and myself and on behalf of BWF congratulations for your bright future. Let All your hopes and dreams be fulfilled
Masha Allha.. congratulations..
ALHAMDULILLAH. ALF MABROOK AND CONGRATULATIONS TO MS.FATHIMA HAMZA, & HER PARENTS MR.HAMZA ABDUL KHADER & MRS.ZAINAB MUMTAZ & THE WHOLE FAMILY., WHO ARE CLOSELY KNOWN TO ME AND MY FAMILY. IT IS A VERY GLAD NEWS TO HERE ABOUT THIS GREAT ACHIEVEMENT OF PASSING OUT HER CA EXAM IN FIRST ATTEMPT, MASHA ALLAH. IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT HERE ABOUT HER DEDICATION, COMMITTMENT, HARDWORK & FOCUS ON THE SUBJECT, WHICH GAVE HER SUCCESSFUL RESULT. OFCOURSE, PROPER GUIDANCE AND UPBRINGING BY HER PARENTS. MAY ALMIGHTY ALLAH BLESS HER & HER PARENTS & FAMILY WITH HIS MERCIFUL AND BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS AND ALSO A SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL FUTURE FOR HER, AAMEEN.
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