Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra is back in the news, but this time it’s not in a good way. When Rahul Gandhi was standing on the stage at a public gathering in Maharashtra’s Washim, a major blunder occurred. A rumoured video shows Gandhi, along with other Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Nana Patole, standing on stage, waiting for ‘Rashtriya Geet’ to be played.
While Rahul and others were waiting for India’s ‘Rashtriya Geet,’ much to Congress’ chagrin, ‘Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka,’ Nepal’s national anthem, began to play. It was only after a few seconds that the assembled party realised what was playing was not India’s ‘Rashtriya Geet’! The video has now gone viral, with many people sharing it.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday that Hindutva ideology Vinayak Damodar Savarkar assisted the British and wrote a mercy petition to the then-rulers. During a press conference, Gandhi displayed a piece of paper to the media, claiming it was a letter written by Savarkar to the British. “I will read the last line, which says ‘I beg to remain your most obedient servant’ and is signed by V D Savarkar,” Gandhi said during a media interaction during the final leg of his Bharat Jodo Yatra foot march in Maharashtra.
His remarks came after Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray stated that he disagrees with Gandhi’s assessment of Savarkar. Devendra Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has also claimed that Gandhi has been “shamelessly lying” about Savarkar.
Gandhi claimed that Savarkar signed the letter out of fear, betraying Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Pandit Nehru, and other leaders of the freedom struggle.
According to the Congress MP, the BJP has spread hatred, fear, and violence throughout the country. On the perception that the opposition has been unable to challenge the BJP, Gandhi stated that this perception is only superficial because the opposition does not control institutions, the media, or the judiciary. “Showing compassion and affection even to your opponents are Indian values. The yatra is doing the same,” He stated. “You can disagree with the views of your opponent by showing affection and love,” he said.