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.
New Delhi, Feb 20: Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, father of Umar Khalid, a PhD scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University, has claimed that he received a “death threat call from underworld don Ravi Poojary”.
Comments
Dear Rakesh.
We know how brain is working after cheddi media & teaching have affected U.. and 95% of the cases charged are still not proved and the cheddi authorities are playing with the dumb spectaters like U who support them without your own investigation on the cases which still did not give any proof..... anyway A day will come to judge such cases where innocents have been trapped and the one who gave us this life will judge and on that day no cheddis will come to your rescue for your blind support now. Which U will regret for not using your god given intellectual. Try to know the reality and study on cheddi deception.
Rakesh,
Jamate Islami Hind an institution have no connection with Simi. SIMI is a independent institution which banned now. Its a student movement like ABVP. Jamate Islami Hind have student wing is SIO. I don't know where you got the information that he was with SIMI. Can you furnish the details about the Syed Qasim was with SIMI, failing which you will have apologize in this forum for non authentic information.
SQR Ilyasi we are with you...A goonda coward who is sitting abroad is preaching Hindutva patriotism ..As a Muslim we are not scared of these death threats
this man was with SIMI ... what else we can expect from his son ? Mr Abdullah , clarification , not India , it is muslims only and some left mentally retards . May be he has support from pakistan .
No worry ... India With U. Jai Hind.
Dont worry guys.... for the threats
Allah gives life & death and we muslims believe that.. If you are firm in your belief.. Just pray to him and ask his protection ... Dont worry about the evil .. Unless ALLAH gives permission nothing on the earth will move... even the evil of ravi poojary..
TRUST ALLAH, U are on the safe hand unless ALLAH decreed on U. even if U are harmed. It is the matter is with ALLAH.
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