GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 19th Jan. On Saturday, January 18, journalist Saurabh Dwivedi found himself at the center of a political storm after attempting to defend Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s controversial remarks about fighting the Indian state. Dwivedi, the Founding Editor of The Lallantop, was conducting an interview with political analyst Rajat Sethi when the discussion turned to Gandhi’s statement, which had caused a stir earlier in the week.
In his defense of Gandhi, Dwivedi claimed that the Congress leader had been misinterpreted by BJP President JP Nadda, who accused him of advocating a fight against India. Dwivedi argued that Gandhi’s speech, in which he mentioned fighting against the BJP, RSS, and the Indian government, was being deliberately distorted. “JP Nadda is saying that Rahul Gandhi openly talked about fighting against India. The speech was about fighting the Indian government,” Dwivedi said, asserting that the BJP was taking Gandhi’s words out of context.
However, political analyst Rajat Sethi quickly corrected Dwivedi, pointing out that Rahul Gandhi had not used the term “Indian government” but had specifically referred to the “Indian state.” Sethi emphasized that Gandhi’s statement, made in English, was a slip of the tongue, but his words clearly pointed to a confrontation with the Indian state, which Sethi argued could be seen as a serious accusation.
“What is a State? It is the manifestation of the Indian Constitution. Even the position of the Leader of the Opposition, the one he currently occupies, is also part of the Indian State,” Sethi explained, underscoring the gravity of Gandhi’s words. He further asserted that speaking against the Indian state could be considered an act of treason, regardless of whether it was a slip of the tongue.
Acknowledging the correction, Dwivedi conceded that Sethi was right in pointing out the distinction between “Indian government” and “Indian state.” “Yes, Rahul Gandhi did not say Indian government but the Indian State,” he admitted.
Mohan Bhagwat’s audacious comment that India didn’t gain true independence in 1947 is an insult to our freedom fighters, every single Indian citizen and an attack on our Constitution. pic.twitter.com/6sMhdxn3xA
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 15, 2025
The controversy had started earlier in the week when Rahul Gandhi, during the inauguration of the new AICC HQ in New Delhi on January 14, made the statement that he was fighting against the Indian state itself, not just the BJP and RSS. “Do not think we are fighting a fair fight. If you believe we are fighting against a political organization called BJP and RSS, they have captured almost every institution in our country. We are now fighting not just the BJP and RSS, but the Indian state itself,” Gandhi had said.
The remarks quickly sparked a political uproar, with BJP leaders accusing Gandhi of undermining the sovereignty of the nation. The latest exchange involving Dwivedi and Sethi has only added fuel to the ongoing debate, as the Congress party continues to defend its leader’s comments amidst fierce criticism from the opposition.
The post Saurabh Dwivedi Defends Rahul Gandhi Amid Controversy Over ‘Indian State’ Remark appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.
