Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that India faces a major threat due to what he called an “attack on democracy.” He made this statement during an interaction at EIA University in Colombia, where he targeted the Narendra Modi-led government.
Rahul Gandhi noted that India has several internal challenges. When asked about the biggest risk, he replied, “The single biggest risk is the attack on democracy that is taking place in India.”
India’s diversity and democracy
Gandhi described India as a nation of many religions, languages, traditions, and ideas. He argued that the democratic system provides space for dialogue and coexistence. However, he said this very system is under severe pressure.
“Currently, there is a wholesale attack on that democratic system in India,” he remarked.
He further explained that India cannot follow China’s model of suppressing people under an authoritarian setup. “With so many different languages, conceptions, and traditions, India cannot afford to be like China,” Gandhi said.
Need for inclusivity
The Congress leader stressed the importance of preserving India’s cultural and linguistic diversity. “The other risk is the rift between different parts of the country. Allowing these different traditions to thrive, giving them space to express themselves, is very important for India,” he said.
According to him, India’s design would collapse under authoritarianism. “We cannot do what China does: suppress people and run an authoritarian system. Our design will not accept that,” he added.
Once again Rahul Gandhi behaves like LoP - Leader of Propaganda
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) October 2, 2025
Goes abroad and attacks Indian Democracy! After all he wants to fight Indian state!
Sometimes Demands US UK should intervene into our affairs and now this
From Sena to Judiciary to Sanvidhan to Sanatan ! pic.twitter.com/4mOWacVLGy
BJP’s strong counterattack
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reacted sharply to Gandhi’s comments. The party accused him of trying to malign India during his foreign visits. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla wrote on X, “Once again Rahul Gandhi behaves like LoP – Leader of Propaganda. Goes abroad and attacks Indian Democracy! After all he wants to fight Indian state! Sometimes demands US, UK should intervene into our affairs and now this. From Sena to Judiciary to Sanvidhan to Sanatan!”
Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also criticized Gandhi. Speaking to ANI, he said, “It has become a habit for Rahul Gandhi to defame the country’s constitutional institutions abroad. The people of the country do not approve of this behaviour.”