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.
Speaking to media persons over the controversies regarding the Muslim personal law and central government's attempt to implement uniform civil code, he said that there is lot of misconceptions in the society about polygamy and talaq.
Comments
Mr. Modi spends time at RSS ashram not with his wife.
100% ....no doubt
Well said Mr. Kodi....
Many people who think their view is intelligent than the divine rule...
Are really unaware of their ignorance....
They should read what sharia law is and how triple talaq is implemented if the couple doesnt go along with each other rather than making a big issue by just taking and joining hands with the Haters who alwz try to demonize the divine law...
It is the mercy of ALLAH. that Muslims and non muslims are learning the Divine law and I request all to compare divine law by yourself with the man made law...
Under the sharia law Muslim women's are happy it is a divine law not man made law to be changed. In islam women's have more respect and living with dignity and modesty. If you go through the survey you can find more divorce and more than one wife in other religions. Only handful self styled Muslim women's without islamic knowledge with the help of few vested interest try to defame the sharia law and trying to apply the common civil code in the country. UCC is a drama and the hidden agenda of sangh parivar and its paid anti muslim channels and media to divert the attention of NDA's failure and bring the Ache din to the people. If they really concerned the welfare of muslim women they can empower educationally and economically without any type discrimination.
Really appreciated comment.....who don't know about a family cannot have sentiments towards anyone....he don't know what is love .... what he knows is written dialogues by others....
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