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
Feeling deeply hurt while reading such news about this Genius, Brilliant and highly knowledgeable person. What was his mistake ?that he called people toward truth? made them spend proper life and to lead a peaceful life which may benefit mankind in both the world?? he spoke the truth publicly is the terrorism??is he provoked anything which made his team to kill anyone. Many people in the world appreciating about his deeds but same time many people talking bad about PM Modi so who is what here. His Allah is with him and he is a strong believer. May Allah protect him from this calamity Aameen.
Islam says Suicide is an unforgivable SIN...
ALLAH gave us this LIFE, and QURAN is the manual to understand what is LIFE...
Non-Muslims should read the QURAN (U can check online thequranproject) to understand better, How ALLAH created Life and death and What is the purpose of this life...
QURAN is not just for the Muslims... it is a GUIDANCE from our CREATOR To the whole of UNiverse... Please look into it... U will be enlightened.
Those who are HONEST in looking for the CREATOR... ALLAH will Guide them... thats the trust we should have.... God is GREAT (ALLAHU AKBAR)
NA TASYA PrATIMA ASTI... there is no image of God....
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Enemies of ISLAM plan, But ALLAH has a plan...
Everything happens with the will of ALLAH. ALLAH's plan will Succeed..
Non Muslim should use their God given intellect to VERIFY what wrong thing Dr. Zakir naik says... If he is bringing near to the one LORD ALLAH to U guys then accept it (Even vedas says NA tasya pratima Asti - There is no image of GOD) Dont U think as Human beings are the smartest creation of ALLAH who can analyse and reason when they use their INTELLECT.
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Wake up guys... and PONDER on what ZAKIR NAIK says and Stop believing whatever LIARS want U to believe.
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