Jaipur, India – Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has ignited a political debate by asserting that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi would have banned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if she were in power today, citing the party's alleged use of religion in politics.
Speaking at an award ceremony in Jaipur, the senior Congress leader accused the BJP of mobilizing people in the name of Hindutva for electoral gains, a practice he claimed violates the Constitution's prohibition against religion-based politics. Gehlot emphasized that the Constitution grants equal rights to all religions and that faith should not be exploited as a political instrument.
Concerns Over Democratic Institutions
Gehlot extended his criticism to various democratic institutions, alleging that bodies like the Election Commission and the judiciary are operating under undue pressure. He specifically pointed to central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax Department, claiming they are being weaponized against political adversaries.
The former Chief Minister warned that such actions by the BJP are weakening democratic foundations and voting rights, which would disproportionately harm India's poor citizens. He described the ideological positions of the BJP and its parent organization, the RSS, as dangerous, accusing them of selectively invoking national leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for political expediency while disregarding their core values.
A Call for Rahul Gandhi's Leadership
In his address, Gehlot also advocated for a political landscape where the contest is primarily between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He urged regional parties across India to recognize and accept Rahul Gandhi's leadership, commending his efforts to raise crucial public issues both within and outside Parliament.
Gehlot further highlighted what he perceived as the BJP's exclusionary Hindutva politics by noting the absence of Muslim BJP Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha. He cited the sidelining of prominent Muslim leaders such as Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shahnawaz Hussain as evidence of this trend.
Concluding his remarks, Gehlot also criticized the current Rajasthan government, alleging a decline in governance and a failure to address pressing issues like water and electricity shortages. He called upon young people to actively engage in politics to protect and uphold democratic values in the country.