SRINAGAR: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, warned that India’s democracy is facing its “biggest threat”, as he criticised the Narendra Modi-led government during an interaction at EIA University in Colombia, as per Times of India.
Addressing students and faculty, Gandhi said India’s rich diversity of religions, traditions, and languages depends on a functioning democratic system to ensure inclusion. “But right now, the democratic system is under attack from all sides,” he said, highlighting what he described as growing pressures on democratic institutions.
The comments triggered an immediate response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which labelled Gandhi the “Leader of Propaganda” and accused him of attempting to tarnish India’s democratic image on foreign soil. A BJP statement said Gandhi’s remarks were “misleading” and “politically motivated,” warning that such narratives could harm India’s global standing.
Political analysts say Gandhi’s remarks reflect the ongoing tensions between the ruling party and opposition over civil liberties, institutional autonomy, and governance, amid a climate of heightened political polarisation. The Opposition leader’s statements abroad have also sparked debate over the propriety of discussing domestic political issues on international platforms.
Gandhi’s intervention comes as India prepares for upcoming elections, with parties intensifying efforts to consolidate support while navigating both domestic scrutiny and international attention on the country’s democratic framework.
