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
Scientifically Urine is 100% bad for the human bodies, Either u used as a medicine or adding in to medicine whatever..
if u speaking Philosophically then u r not a true religion follower, must testify you b4 getting in to the point.
now a days half of the Political knowledge & piece of religious knowledge are big dangerous in the world.
Without knowledge pls don't go to implement about any kind of things one day it will effect you.
If ur Politician go thru Constitution, if ur talking Religiously then be careful !... about your deeds.
Shit and piss lovers...... jai ho....
All human beings has to realize what is bad & prohibited for human bodies in order to be healthy.
are you mad ? is cow urine pure water ? you never understand which are good and bad things for human bodies, unless u study about the common terms of the religions.
these are the basic requirements to all human beings in the essence of true religion.
1. You Should Worship One True God (creator)
2. You need to know which is Life manual for the human beings &
3. Who bring that manual & taught how to lead a life successful.
Even by mistake step on to cow urine have to clean immediately with Dettol soap because it contains lots of germs, forget about drink...its really bullshit
Why should we use this brand PATANJALI,
What is the guarantee he does not use urine when he is using it in other products.
Muslims should boycott such products. Produce your own product which can be useful to all communities.
Yes, it is dirty...do not touch and smell it....forget about using...you cannot smell it....
Urine is waste of our body which God has made a system to remove bad things from our body... And U stupid guys want to drink it... clearly evils acts to follow its way of eating waste
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