Chauhan Criticizes Rahul Gandhi's Remarks in US: Claims Tarnishing India's Image

Minister of Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chauhan hit back at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's Texas comments, accusing him of betraying India and tarnishing its image. Chauhan emphasized the importance of representing India abroad, praised Modi's leadership, and criticized the Congress for its historical attacks on the Constitution.

Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, has responded sternly to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks in Texas and Dallas, US. Chauhan accused Gandhi of tarnishing India's image abroad, equating his actions to betraying the country. 'Rahul Gandhi is a representative of the country, and going outside India and tarnishing India's image is equal to betraying one's country. It seems that after losing elections three times, he is frustrated and is trying to express his frustration by damaging India's reputation,' said Chauhan.

Chauhan insisted that Indians should represent their country, not their political affiliations, when traveling abroad. 'When we are in India, we are Congress or BJP; however, once we go out, we are representatives of India,' he said. Sharing his own experience during Dr. Manmohan Singh's tenure, he recounted being asked if the Indian Prime Minister was an 'underachiever.' Chauhan replied, 'An Indian Prime Minister can never be an underachiever. He is the country's leader.' He also defended the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), praising its contributions while acknowledging Gandhi's point that 'nobody is afraid of Modi.' Chauhan added, 'While people may not fear Modi, they love him, which is why he was elected for a third term.'

Praising the current administration, Chauhan applauded Modi's leadership for major achievements like making India the 5th largest economy, with aims to become the third largest. He dismissed Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, arguing that Gandhi failed to connect with the people of India. 'Rahul Gandhi ji, with a small heart, can never be big,' he said.

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao echoed these sentiments, accusing Gandhi and the Congress party of consistently bringing disrepute to India on the global stage. 'Rahul Gandhi and Congress party always bring disrepute to India before the world. We saw this even during elections. He has been doing this continuously. The Gandhi family and Congress party can't stand the country's progress, prestige, and pride,' said Sao. He also criticized the Congress party for historical attacks on the Indian Constitution, stating, 'People of the country know very well who has a history of attacking the Constitution of India. Congress party and Congress governments, Rahul Gandhi's ancestors have attacked the Constitution numerous times - he should remember this.'

On Sunday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi discussed unemployment issues while visiting Dallas, Texas. Criticizing India for focusing more on consumption than production, Gandhi said, 'The act of production creates jobs. What we do, what the Americans do, what the West does, is we organize consumption.' He compared current global production landscapes to past decades, highlighting China's dominance in production while the West, including India, has shifted away from it. Addressing ideological differences with the RSS, Gandhi stated, 'The RSS believes that India is one idea and we believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas.' He added that Congress supports inclusion and diversity, while accusing the Prime Minister of attacking the Indian Constitution. Gandhi was welcomed in Dallas by Sam Pitroda and members of the Indian diaspora.

(With inputs from agencies.)