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This episode of India First examines a political controversy sparked by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's statements in Colombia.
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00:00Good evening. The leader of opposition, Rahul Gandhi, has stirred a harness nest saying the biggest threat to India is the attack on democracy.
00:10Rahul Gandhi was speaking overseas. He was speaking at an event at a university in Colombia.
00:15Rahul Gandhi said, India has many religions, traditions and languages. A democratic system provides a place for everyone.
00:23But the Indian democratic system is under attack from all sides.
00:28He then went on to say that the other risk is the rift between different parts of the country.
00:36When asked about India vis-a-vis the US tariffs, he said he did not see India as a world leader, insisting China may become a global leader.
00:48The BJP has hit back, calling him a disgrace, who is repeatedly criticising India when overseas.
00:54That big BJP versus Congress fight is our top focus on India first.
01:01Currently there is a wholesale attack on the democratic system in India.
01:07Rahul's shameful anti-India rant abroad.
01:10Other big risk is risk between different conceptions, different parts of the country.
01:20Allowing these different traditions to thrive, giving them space to express themselves is very important for a country like India.
01:27The idea that India is going to lead the world, I don't think that that is how India views itself.
01:38Maybe the Chinese think differently on this.
01:42But India has, India I don't think has an intention to one day lead the world.
01:48Rahul, India can't lead China may.
01:58BJP slams Rahul's disgraceful rant.
02:01Rahul bashing Bharat to target BJP.
02:25Rahul Abroad, democracy, corruption, controversy.
02:34The big focus on India first.
02:40So is this the attempt bashing Bharat to target BJP?
02:46That's the allegation that's being made.
02:47But this is not the first time that Rahul Gandhi has actually spoken his mind overseas.
02:51In Virginia, for example, in September 2024 in the United States, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Lok Sabha elections were not free, accusing the BJP of having an unfair advantage.
03:01At the Georgetown University, he said reservations will only go when India becomes fair and India is not fair.
03:08In Texas, in Dallas, Rahul Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of attacking the Constitution.
03:13The BJP has condemned these statements, not only calling him a disgrace, but saying Rahul Gandhi brings shame to the country and that they are ashamed of him.
03:24The Congress, on the other hand, has defended his statement, questioning why the Prime Minister has not dared to call out Donald Trump when he allegedly made false remarks about India.
03:34And we'll get to that entire debate.
03:36World's coming up at 8.30 tonight and you don't want to miss that.
03:39Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Aasem Munir is being ridiculed, not in India, not in the United States of America, but in Pakistan's Parliament for behaving like a salesman in a department store trying to peddle rare earth minerals to US President Donald Trump.
03:59In fact, there are political leaders in Pakistan who've called him a joke, we'll get you that picture, we'll get you that story.
04:05And the statement has been made by a very senior senator who comes, who has a legacy.
04:12He's Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, the frontier Gandhi's great-grandson.
04:17Look at that picture.
04:19It's that, is that a field marshal?
04:21Is that a military general?
04:22Or is that a salesman who opens his briefcase and is trying to peddle his wares?
04:26We'll get you more on that big story at 8.30 tonight.
04:28I'm Gaurav Savant.
04:30As always, let's get started with the headlines on India First.
04:40Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi, attacks the Narendra Modi government on foreign soil, says India cannot take a global leadership role.
04:50BJP hits back, calls Rahul Gandhi a disgrace for India.
04:56Mobile internet and broadband services shut in Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh for 48 hours ahead of Friday prayer.
05:07Security stepped up amidst the showdown and a storm, political storm in Uttar Pradesh.
05:13RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's big message at the RSS centenary address from Pahelgaam to Tarish to Gen Z revolt.
05:26He says, RSS talks of being mazboot and not majboor.
05:32RSS chief hails the Hindu dharm, says it's the Hindu dharm that gave more to Bharatwarsh.
05:39More than 20 Kashmiris killed by Pakistani forces in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
06:09The Kashmiris were demanding their rights and political reforms.
06:13Protesters topple containers kept by the army to block their march to Muzaffarabad.
06:19Two people killed in the United Kingdom as a vehicle rammed into the crowd and a stabbing incident outside a synagogue in Manchester.
06:33UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer cuts short his visit to Denmark and condemns the attack, calls it horrific.
06:40The Ministry of External Affairs announces resumption of direct flights between India and China.
06:50Indigo announces direct flights to China from the 26th of October.
06:56Air India also likely to resume direct flights to China.
06:59Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi has once again quoted controversy, criticising India on foreign soil, this time in Colombia.
07:16Where he said India cannot lead the world and that democracy is under wholesale attack.
07:23His remarks have triggered a political storm back home.
07:25BJP top drafts from Arjun Ram Meghwal to party MP Kangana Ranaut.
07:30They've slammed him for defaming India on foreign soil.
07:34BJP MP Nishikant Dubey went to the extent of asking if Rahul Gandhi was actually a Chinese agent.
07:39India today's P.U. Sharma gets you a top story tonight.
07:45The single biggest risk is the attack on democracy that is taking place in India.
07:52Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi has done it once again.
07:56He has criticised India and Indian democracy while being abroad.
08:00At the EIA University in Colombia, Rahul Gandhi told students that India's greatest risk today is the erosion of its democratic fabric.
08:09The single biggest risk is the attack on democracy that is taking place in India.
08:16Because India has multiple religions, multiple traditions, multiple languages.
08:22And India actually is a conversation between all its people.
08:28And different traditions, different religions, different ideas require space.
08:35And that the best method for creating that space is the democratic system.
08:40And currently there is a wholesale attack on the democratic system in India.
08:46Rahul also said that China may become a world leader, but India cannot.
08:51I don't know about China, but I don't think India sees itself as taking leadership in the world.
08:58I don't think that's, that's not our model, right?
09:04We are, we are a large country and we believe in having a partnership.
09:11And we do not, we do not, sorry, but we are not arrogant enough to believe that we should lead the world.
09:18And even criticise the government over corruption.
09:20In India we have huge amounts of corruption now at a very, very centralised level.
09:30So, you know, three or four businesses basically taking over the whole economy,
09:36having a relationship, direct relationship with the Prime Minister.
09:38So, it's rampant in India.
09:42But I feel that decentralising power, making things more transparent,
09:47bringing people into conversations, bringing people into processes is the best way forward.
09:52The BJP condemning Rahul's habit of defaming India.
09:56The BJP condemning Rahul's habit is the best way forward.
10:26The BJP condemning Rahul's habit.
10:27That's why I call him a disgrace.
10:32He, who, yo, is, who is the country's unconditional love.
10:34But the country is the same asмерик of the people.
10:37Rahul Gandhi, they do all the non-concategories, without a legal government.
10:43Rahul Gandhi's situation is,
10:45that he can't get votes, but he wants to vote.
10:49But if you go to the city of India,
10:50give America to rise,
10:52Rahul Gandhi's sharp words in Colombia have once again the debate over weather and anti-India stance
11:03can be taken abroad. Earlier at multiple occasions also Rahul Gandhi has been talking about a
11:09democratic process in the country where while he was in UK he said the same thing following which
11:14BJP had slammed Rahul Gandhi for this and once again Rahul Gandhi talking on democracy is going
11:21to seek a lot of criticism from the Bharatiya Chanta Party. Peace be upon Delhi for another day.
11:31Before we dive into this trade debate I want you to just listen to what some of the world leaders
11:36have been talking about India for example the EU president Ursula Wanderlin this was in February
11:422025 she spoke of India's resolve and determination to build prosperity security and democracy for
11:50future generations and said as I stand here today in this vibrant and independent country
11:55the largest democracy in the world the words spoken at the time were as prophetic as they were
12:02pure. U.S. Secretary of State and this was in June 2024 spoke of U.S. views on Indian elections post-elections
12:10as the most successful democratic experiment and demonstration in modern history. Went on to note
12:17that Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted electoral outcomes and believes India's democratic resilience
12:23gives New Delhi an edge over its competition in its competition with Beijing. These were just some of
12:29those glimpses about how the world looks at India but overseas leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and
12:36this time in Colombia said the biggest threat to India is the attack on its democracy. So is democracy under attack
12:42in India. Joining me on India first, Tuhin Sinha leads the charge, spokesperson for the BJP.
12:48Adil Singh Boparai leads the counter charge, national spokesperson of the Congress party.
12:53Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar is a former top diplomat, joins me on this broadcast. Ashutosh wears multiple hats
13:00from a political analyst to a journalist. He's been with the political party in the past, joins us to give
13:05his unique perspective. Desh Ratan Nigam is an advocate, is associated with the Rashtriya Swayam
13:11Sevak Sangh. He joins us on this show and let's dive straight in. Tuhin Sinha, why is the BJP upset with
13:17Rahul Gandhi's comments going to the extent of some BJP MPs accusing him of being China's agent? He's
13:26India's leader of opposition in Lok Sabha. He's a senior member of parliament. Why can't he have his say?
13:31Well, good evening, Gaurav. Good evening, everybody. I'm very happy to share to you, to all the co-panelists
13:37and to the viewers. Even on the pious occasion of Deshara, the leader of opposition of India has
13:43chosen to embrace evil over good and as usual, you know, continues to toe an anti-India line. Now,
13:50let me very clearly, let me very specifically answer the two charges which she has leveled. Number one,
13:55that India's democracy is under threat. You know, here is a leader who travels to every corner of
14:02the world, be it US, be it South America, only to willify India without evidence and yet no action
14:09has ever been taken against him. Here is a leader who, you know, picks up sick people from the crowd
14:14and says that, you know, your religion is in danger for which, of course, he's facing a court case
14:20and yet no action is taken in India and he calls, he says democracy is in danger in India. Here is a
14:26leader who calls institutions vote sure without evidence and manages to get away with it and yet
14:32he continues to say that India's democracy is in danger. You know, let me come to the second aspect,
14:38the development. He says India doesn't have a vision. Have you ever seen Rahul Gandhi praise India
14:44when it comes to an India, Middle East, you know, India, Middle East, European corridor?
14:50Okay, I'll come to the development aspect and the second aspect in just a moment. So let's turn
14:54the democracy aspect for now. Adil Singh Bhoparai, biggest threat to India is the attack on democracy.
15:00Explain what Rahul Gandhi meant, his signal to the world and the attack that comes from the BJP, sir.
15:07Gaurav, Mr. Gandhi's statement echoes the ground reality of India.
15:12And before I state my piece, I think it is very fundamental that my co-panelists and the viewers
15:19understand one very critical distinction. There is a distinction between BJP government and India.
15:28Please do not conflate the two. Now coming to the meat of the issue, yes, democracy is being destroyed
15:35brick by brick in this country. I can give you numerous examples, starting from electoral
15:44manipulation of the voter list. How is it that there are 80 voters in a 7 by 7 group?
15:50Number two, there is a near total capture of institutions. The BJP ideology has thrusted its
15:59exclusivist ideology on institutions. The fourth state, which is supposed to be a bulwark today has
16:06become a tool for propaganda for the BJP. You are on the fourth state saying your piece freely and
16:13fairly. The, you know, that's my only, that's my only intervention, but go on, sir.
16:18Number three, the strength of this country is unity in diversity. And that strength and that syncretism
16:26today is being destroyed by the BJP's ideology. Number four, which is very important, our country's
16:35glue is our multi-religious and multi-cultural template. That is being destroyed. Number five,
16:43coming on the economy, there is a form of an oligarchy which is being pushed. Today, when people
16:50should seek answers from the BJP for the mismanagement in Ladakh, when people should
16:56seek answers from the BJP and more particularly media commentators for the complete mishandling of
17:02Manipur, you have the fourth state seeking to put the opposition into the witness box. Number five,
17:10since much is said and since you quoted some of the foreign leaders, it is a matter of fact which
17:16has been stated by top army personnel that the Chinese and the Chinese military was collaborating
17:23with the Pakistanis in May. Why is it that the prime minister had to go and mend fences with China
17:30when the Chinese are breathing down our neck? Why is it that the prime minister cannot call out
17:35President Trump and say, sorry, India and Pakistan is a bilateral issue. So therefore,
17:41let's take facts as they stand. You and I can have individual ideologies, but the end of the day,
17:47it has to be India first, not BJP first. And that's exactly what the show is, India first.
17:54I want to bring in Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar. Ambassador, India is hailed as a vibrant democracy,
18:01elections, noisy debates, allegations, counter allegations. In your appreciation,
18:07how would the world react to these statements, especially when they come from the leader of
18:11opposition? Yeah, thank you very much, Gaurav, for having me. I think as far as the world is concerned,
18:17there is a conviction there that India is a robust democracy. It's a very vibrant democracy.
18:23India's institutions work. Its institutions are very strong. And that is the impression,
18:29meaning I would, you know, you have played two of these comments that have been made by Ursula
18:34von der Leyen and Antony Blinken. I would also mention, and this is not what only, you know,
18:40former President Joe Biden had said, he had said that India has proven that democracy delivers,
18:48you know, because democracy is not only elections. Democracy is also in terms of what do you do with
18:54the results of the elections. And India has shown that it has been able to bring so many hundreds of
19:01millions of people out of poverty. We have, you know, whenever there have been challenges,
19:08India has been able to stand up to these challenges. You know, India has been hailed even by the
19:15managing director of the International Monetary Fund saying that India is the only ray of hope
19:22as far as the global economy is concerned, while otherwise there is gloom all around. So I think
19:28whether you talk about it internally, in terms of, you know, the working of the institutions,
19:34in terms of the manner in which it has been able to impact their lives, otherwise going globally,
19:40internationally also, when it is vaccines, you know, this is something to do with the leadership.
19:47You know, India does not demand leadership. India shows leadership in action.
19:53I'll just come to the leadership aspect. I want to stay on the democracy aspect and internally for a moment.
19:58And that's why I want to bring Ashutosh into this conversation, because Ashutosh wears multiple
20:03hats. Ashutosh, as a journalist, as an analyst, as someone who's been a part of a political party once,
20:11are you scared of freely airing your views? Is democracy under threat in India? Or are you,
20:18through the courage of your conviction and your thought, able to say what you want to say?
20:22I think two, two, three things. First of all, yes, today, the journalist, last section of journalists,
20:29they are worried because they do not know from which court there will be an FIR and they will be
20:33put into jail and custody. And for years or for months, they will not get any bail from the courts.
20:39Let's not get into this. I think we had reached to a situation and I did not know that when the BJP has
20:46become India. As a student of politics, I have read in the past that there was one Devkanth Varuwa
20:53who compared Mrs. Gandhi with India. But today, wherever I look at, I see Devkanth Varuwa everywhere.
20:59There is Devkanth Varuwa everywhere. And second thing, I think the BJP is doing a great job for
21:05Rahul Gandhi for a simple reason, because they are keeping Rahul Gandhi in the discourse like Congress
21:10used to do for the Narendra Modi when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. So I do not know when the BJP
21:15will realize. And third point, I think this fellow called Nishikhan Dubey, at a time when India is
21:21trying to build bridges with China, and he is the kind of language he has used, I think the MEA should
21:28take note of it and somebody should tell him that you are damaging Indo-Chinese relationship by being
21:33a member of parliament, the senior member of the BJP itself. And the last point which I want to make
21:38it, and it's a really very, very interesting point, that I do not know whether the BJP is undermining
21:43democracy by attacking the institution of a leader opposition in this country. The way
21:50the BJP panelists and the different TV channels on a daily basis, 24 hours seven, accuse him,
21:57abuse him, the kind of language they are using. Do they have any respect for the leader of opposition?
22:03Forget about Rahul Gandhi. It's not about Rahul Gandhi. It's about the institution of the leader of
22:07opposition. It's an institution. So, the kind of language which Ravi Shankar Prasad has used,
22:14the kind of language Ravi Shankar Prasad has used, at least I had never expected the leader of that
22:17seniority can go to that. That's what I'm saying. There are Devakant Baru everywhere, wherever I look at.
22:22Can I ask a simple question to Ashutosh? Let me just bring in Deshwath Tanigam and then I'm coming to you.
22:28But if you want to quickly, briefly intervene to any specific point, go ahead, sir.
22:31No, no. I want to ask a simple question to Ashutosh ji. He's aware that Allahabad High Court had recently
22:37denied relief to Rahul Gandhi in a case pertaining to his obnoxious remarks against the Sikh community in US.
22:43Does he support this kind of obnoxious utterances across the world without any evidence where he's just
22:51picking up people and bad-mouthing India? And, you know, I mean, does Ashutosh ji support that?
22:56There is a limit to which you can say that, you know, in democracy, everything is allowed.
23:01Okay. Do you support that, Ashutosh?
23:04You've made a big point, Ashutosh quickly, sir, before I begin Mr. Ligam.
23:07Actually, let me, let me, the democracy which I know has taught me that when Amit Shah was called Thadipar by the court,
23:14we did not believe in, we did not trust that he is going to be convicted.
23:19I think anybody like Tuhin Sinha, he's a senior member of the BJP, he should know that let's not put democracy on its head.
23:25Let's not put jurisprudence.
23:27My point is an entire community, please understand, Ashutosh ji, please understand the repercussions of what he said.
23:33Just give me 10 seconds.
23:35Okay. Sir, let me come back to you. Let me bring in Deshrath and Nigam for his initial comments.
23:39Please listen to me. Have patience.
23:40Deshrath and Nigam, apart from being with the sang, you're also an advocate.
23:47Now, the point that's being made is, so Rahul Gandhi is criticizing a political party.
23:52He is criticizing a government that belongs to a political party.
23:57Why is that being equated with criticizing India?
24:01How does that, you know, get equated? You know, when he says that there was this slogan of India is Indira and Indira is India,
24:10it's almost as if there are some elements who are trying to say BJP government is India and India is BJP government.
24:17You're on mute, sir. Unmute yourself, please.
24:21Gaurav, in fact, those who attack India and its democracy and the electoral system must first resign from their respective posts.
24:33The governments that have been elected through our democratic system and electoral system and then question it.
24:39It is the same system which has given them a power in different states and they have been elected as leader of opposition.
24:45So to question the Indian democracy and electoral system, you must first resign and then question it.
24:51Then I will be paying a very serious attention to what you're saying.
24:55Secondly, when you say India cannot become great or lead the world, is it anti-BJP or anti-India?
25:02Please understand. Therefore, there is, yes, we all know BJP is an Indian party. BJP is not India.
25:09But while opposing Mr. Modi or BJP, you become anti-India.
25:13That is the line that has been crossed numerous times and your report is clearly pointed out.
25:19So one has to be very, very clear where you stand while vilifying India, insulting India on international forums, where the world, India is on the way to become third largest economy.
25:31All parameters of development, if you look at it, are wonderful, but still you are defaming India.
25:36I think there is a line one has to draw. Repeat offending should not be.
25:39And yes, I have an issue with Indian democracy because it doesn't punish repeat offenders.
25:45That is one point I think Mr. Twin Sinha was also making in a very slant manner.
25:49But we must have…
25:50Sir, go to a court of law. Go to a court of law or go to people's court.
25:55You know, because why fault the democracy? Why fault systems? You're an advocate.
26:00Adil Singh Boparai is an advocate. Both of you know law better than most.
26:04But Adil Singh Boparai respond. The criticism is not of the BJP. It is of India.
26:11What does Rahul Gandhi mean when he says India cannot become a world leader?
26:15Or words to that effect. BJP says that he is not leader…
26:19LOP is not leader of opposition in parliament. He is actually leader of propaganda targeting India's image overseas.
26:26Gaurav, I will kindly request you to give me adequate time.
26:29Absolutely, sir.
26:30Given the skewed nature. Now, number one, I think it's very important to understand this anecdotally.
26:36When you abuse the leader of the opposition of this country, let's forget for a moment the leader of the opposition.
26:43When you start labeling any person who is opposed to your point of view or when you start labeling dissent as anti-national,
26:51that is the first manifestation of democracy being demolished. Number one.
26:56Number two, another hard fact. When you use agencies to target opposition leaders, and I'll give you one stark fact.
27:0395% of all political cases in this country which have been registered by the enforcement directorate are against opposition leaders.
27:12This is how you muzzle the voice of the opposition.
27:15Number three. When the leader of the opposition, a constitutional post holder, gives you hard data,
27:22shares data that how is it possible that 80 people can be registered as voters in a 7x7 room. You ask him to file an affidavit instead of inquiring into it.
27:34Number three. Number four. When the fourth estate, and I'm not calling you out, I'm talking about the fourth estate in general.
27:43Okay. When the fourth estate loses its spine, when it forgets to question and speak truth to power, that's when democracy is being demolished.
27:52And number five. You know what the BJP, the model which is replicating is not something out of the blue.
27:58They lack creativity even when they're copying. Okay.
28:01There have been autocratic or neo-autocratic regimes which have practically done the same thing.
28:07By using the propaganda tool, by thrusting false facts and propaganda, by controlling dissemination of information,
28:14by trying to project megalomania as a form of democracy. They're not doing anything new. They lack creativity.
28:21My only point, as far as the fourth estate is concerned, and I will draw in Ashutosh only when it comes to the point of the fourth estate, is that the fourth estate is so huge, sir.
28:32You know, there's television, there is radio, there are so many newspapers in so many languages and there is social media and there are digital platforms.
28:42There is so much. Can everyone be muzzled? Clearly not. So, you know, the fourth estate is strong. Make it stronger, but don't, you know, shoot the messenger.
28:55That's as far as the fourth estate is concerned. That's my only humble submission, as far as fourth estate is concerned.
29:00But Tuhin Sina, respond to the points, very specific points, and Ashutosh also wants to come in on this.
29:06But Tuhin Sina, respond to the points that are being made in the past. Why target? He's leader of opposition in parliament.
29:14No, no. He's a senior member of parliament. To call him a Chinese agent, disgrace, and all that is being called of him. Why?
29:19No, no. You know, I think in a democracy, each one will use his kind of words. You know, I am not using that word.
29:27But fact is that, you know, the last time Rahul Gandhi did a press conference on vote chori, that was on 18th September.
29:34That was an embarrassment for the congress party itself. He had to fact check himself within four hours.
29:40So, unless, you know, you know the legal definition of evidence, unless you behave in a way where people
29:46give you, call you gravitas, why would you blame the whole country for not listening to you?
29:51You know, he had to himself fact check himself and correct himself. He said, had we not been alert,
29:57vote chori would have happened in Alant. Whereas fact is that FIR was launched by election commission itself,
30:03and two months before the voting had actually taken place, when there was a BJP government. So,
30:10was he trying to say that a BJP government was trying to rig the vote, and it failed in that?
30:16Rahul Gandhi lacks common sense, he lacks logic, which is what makes the entire set of accusations
30:22against India, very farcical. Forget the bigger charges. If it's farcical, why be worried?
30:31Forget the bigger charges. He doesn't even follow basic democratic etiquettes. Why would a leader of
30:37opposition willfully abstain from attending the flag hosting at Lalkila on 15th August?
30:43Why would a LOP willfully abstain from attending the swearing-in of the vice-president? He is the
30:48person who is willfully weakening democratic ethos and etiquettes every day in this country.
30:54Okay. Adel Singh Bhoparai, you want to quickly intervene before I bring in Ashutosh and my other
30:58guests. Go on, sir. The BJP is again replicating the playbook of the despots
31:05that label your opponent as anti-national. Call him that he is indulging in treason.
31:10This is not how democracies function. He is in fact contradicting himself by his conduct.
31:17Mr. Rahul Gandhi has given you enough empirical evidence that elections or at least voter lists
31:24are being rigged. Instead of conducting a thorough and a comprehensive investigation, you can call us
31:31as many names as you want to, but please understand, nobody remains in power forever. Power is not something
31:39which is permanent. And at some stage in time, all your acts of permission and commission will be
31:44investigated. But what is most important is that India must come first. Let us not conflate BJP with
31:53India. Let us preserve our syncretic culture. Let us preserve our multi-religious and multi-caste character,
32:02which is under threat because of the RSS and the BJP's insidious ideology.
32:08Respond, Desh Ratan Nigam. You know, India, Bharat, Varsh, the dialogue as Rahul Gandhi puts it,
32:15amongst all members under threat because of an RSS ideology that the Congress says is being imposed.
32:22Well, Gaurav, in fact, the vision of the RSS is to make India great, united and a very strong nation. I don't
32:31think anybody has any problem with that vision, if at all the people who are criticizing RSS know about
32:37that vision. The fact remains that even today, Mohan Bhagwadji from Nagpur clearly sent a message.
32:45We are not against anybody, but certainly we will be opposing those who oppose India,
32:49those who are anti-Hindu and those who believe in Tushti Karan or appeasement. Yes,
32:55everybody is equal in this country and everybody has a right and we believe in the diversity and unity
33:01and everything is united from north to south. There is a cultural nationalism which unites the country,
33:07right from east to west, north to south, take any places. But the fact remains, when our opposition
33:13leaders start criticizing India, we have an issue with that. Okay. And certainly, when a political
33:20party has an MOU with a Chinese Communist Party and does not disclose it, it becomes an issue with
33:26the country. If you meet Chinese ambassadors secretly when a Doklam happens, the country sees
33:31there is an issue. Ashutosh wants to comment because Ashutosh says this is targeting of leader of
33:38opposition. A direct attack has been made by my very senior friend. Let me respond to that.
33:43Gaurav. Okay. Quickly, quickly Ashutosh and then I'm coming to you Adil Singh Boparai because Ashutosh,
33:49is there merit in the BJP saying that there is a pattern to Rahul Gandhi's actions going overseas
33:54and criticizing India in various universities and other platforms each time he goes abroad,
34:00not restricted to any one country or to any one university. Gaurav, whether you have noticed or not,
34:05not, but I have noticed. And today, after listening to Deshshatan Singh, Deshshatan Ji,
34:10I'm really scared. Why I'm scared? For the simple reason, because when he's saying RSS things,
34:14let's make India great again. I go back in history and know that Hitler said this,
34:21let's make Germany great again. And that's what the Donald Trump is saying. Let's make America great
34:25again. So is he trying to take India on the path of Donald Trump and Hitler? If that is,
34:31then I'm really scared today. I'm really worried about it. See, the second point which I want to
34:35make it, I think that Rahul Gandhi must be smiling because Rahul Gandhi has got under the skin of the
34:41BJP and they do not know how to tackle him. If he's so irrelevant in Indian politics, if he's a child,
34:46if he's a kid, then why BJP waste so much time criticizing Rahul Gandhi, minister after minister,
34:53minister after minister, the top rank leader of the BJP and the RSS, they attack him because they do
34:59not know how to handle him. And that's the beauty of Indian democracy in that sense. But you are,
35:04you're talking about the media. That's the beauty of Indian democracy and I completely agree with you.
35:09Free, fair, noisy, every point of view comes out is the point I'm trying to make. Adil Singh Boparai,
35:16you wanted to come in quickly, sir, before I bring in Ambassador Sajjan Har for closing comments.
35:19Adil Singh Boparai, sir.
35:22I have great respect for Mr. Nigam and I do meet him very fondly when we bump into each other in the
35:27corridors of the court. But I must make one thing very, very clear. The RSS cannot be a judge of
35:35citizens, patriotism or nationalism. Nobody has given the RSS that authority. Please understand
35:42this. RSS is a so-called social political organization. Nobody has given the RSS this
35:50authority or jurisdiction to judge mine or Mr. Ashutosh or Mr. Savant's nationalism or patriotism.
35:57Number one. Number two, it is ironic. It is ironic that people question Mr. Rahul Gandhi
36:03when they forget that his father and his grandmother shed their blood for this country's unity, integrity
36:11and sovereignty. Please keep that in mind. I understand the BJP is weak in history, but please
36:17keep that in mind. And lastly, much has been said about China. Just three months back, you had the
36:24Chinese collaborating militarily with the Pakistanis. Yes. Yes, Mr. Modi held one-to-one parley.
36:31Fair enough. Sir, that's the point being repeated and I'm awfully short of time. But Deshra Tandigam,
36:36you want to quickly intervene on that point. Quickly, last 10 seconds before I bring in Ambassador
36:41Sajjan. I think Adil misunderstood me. We speak on issues and national issues and that is where India to
36:47become great. And I don't think anybody on this panel should have any issue in making and seeing
36:52India great again, once again, and leading the world. We saw G20. We saw everything. But the fact is
36:57to compare it with Hitler to Trump is something. It's so outlandish. It's just trying to gain some
37:03brownie points. I think Mr. Ashutosh does not himself believe him. I know him so well.
37:07I have to bring in Ambassador Sajjan since I'm short of time. Okay, Ashutosh quickly. I strongly
37:14believe that the RSS does not believe in democratic setup, does not believe in Indian. I strongly believe
37:19this. Okay. Okay. Ambassador Sajjan, when you were posted overseas and since it's a statement that's
37:25been made by leader of opposition in parliament overseas, embassies and diplomats, on what basis do
37:31they form an opinion? Political statements or what they witness on ground? Statements made by
37:37political leaders of facts that are borne out on ground, sir. Yeah, a couple of things here,
37:42Gaurav, because you've been having this debate. Now, Colombia is a very faraway country. They don't
37:46really know much about it. In terms of cooperation, also not much. So, you know, when a leader from
37:54India, leader of opposition or anyone goes and starts criticizing India, of course, that is going to
38:00have an impact. But I think India is reaching out to all the countries. Prime Minister was there
38:05recently in Brazil, in Argentina, all the Caribbean countries and all that.
38:10I think people see what India is doing. And as I was saying, India is acting as a leader. India is
38:17behaving as a leader because the world, there is a shortage of leaders in the world. And that is
38:22why, you know, whether it is a bridge between the north and the south, it is a bridge between the east
38:28and the west. I think India is one of those very few countries which can play that role.
38:33And you've seen that during India's G20, when the African Union was made a part of the G20 and so
38:40many countries in the global south look at India as their leader. You're absolutely right, sir. My
38:46apologies. I've run out of time on this part of the show. But this is a raging debate that we shall
38:51continue to have not just in the run up to elections, but even otherwise in this rather noisy democracy
38:59called Bharat. Pakistan's Army Chief, Failed Marshal Asim Munir is in trouble. And is he? He's being
39:07mocked in parliament as a salesman in a departmental store. Look at that picture on your television screen.
39:13That's the field marshal of a country. He's peddling rare earth minerals in a photo op with Donald Trump.
39:21And we're not saying that he's being, you know, he's behaving like a salesman. This is being said
39:26by a senator in Pakistan's parliament, Aymal Wali Khan. He's the great grandson of the frontier Gandhi,
39:36Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan. And he's mocked this so-called briefcase diplomacy.
39:43He questioned what authority Pakistan's Army Chief has to roam around with a briefcase full of rare earth
39:50elements. Is that the job of a field marshal when there's trouble back home? Listen in.
39:55What a joke! What a joke! This is a joke! This was a joke. That was a joke. It was a joke.
40:11who even looked at the chief of the army staff in briefcase
40:15where a rare earth mineral is going to go and he was like
40:18he had a better brand store
40:21where a manager was sitting there
40:24and a shopkeeper said that he had to buy it
40:28and he said that he had to buy it
40:30what kind of law is going to do it
40:35what kind of law is going to do it
40:38what kind of law is going to do it
40:40this is sorry to say not democracy
40:46when an army chief is mocked in parliament
40:51clearly he is not very popular
40:53and is this because of the sellout of the palestine cause
40:58we will talk about that at another time
40:59we did a show on it yesterday
41:01but there is trouble for Pakistan
41:03in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir
41:04POJK is burning
41:06there are protests that are raging from Muzaffarabad to Darayal
41:09and Pakistan's army is response
41:11they have fired bullets
41:12there is brutality and there is blackout
41:14funerals of the dead have become fresh protest points
41:17as anger mounts against Islamabad's
41:20jackboots in the heaven called Kashmir
41:24of course Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir is hell right now
41:28from ridicule in parliament to a freedom struggle in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir
41:33Pakistan's powerful army chief is facing fire on multiple fronts
41:37from Muzaffarabad to Darayal a massive uprising of Kashmiris has erupted
41:53as thousands take to the streets demanding their basic rights jobs electricity and dignity
42:02and what they are getting in return are bullets from the illegal occupier of their land the Pakistani army
42:15the Pakistani army has launched a brutal carnage indiscriminately killing Kashmiri protesters
42:27the park army versus Kashmiris showdown played out at POK's Palak bridge
42:33where Kashmiris toppled giant containers placed by the Pakistani army to block protesters
42:47he confirmed that they did not kill them
42:51they didn't get some harm to Islam and justice
42:56the fans are in return
42:57the people who come up with this violence
42:58and the people who come up with this gang
43:01the people who come up with this intellectual on Hitler
43:03should take care of their experiences
43:05this relationship is underline
43:07the people who come out and don't manage
43:09those who come out with Muslims
43:11those who come out and keep telling them
43:13this not freedom
43:14I don't have any power. You have been able to stop it.
43:20Several Kashmiris have been shot dead and more than 200 injured
43:23as Pakistani army and ISI personnel in plain clothes opened fire.
43:31Even some POK police personnel also died in clashes.
43:35A massive crowd gathers to pay their final respects
43:43to those killed in the firing by Pakistani rangers and local police.
43:50The Shahbaz Sharif government is now buckling under pressure,
43:54expanding its negotiation committee and rushing it to Muzaffarabad.
43:59Meanwhile, Pakistan has enforced a total communication blackout,
44:03cutting off phones, internet and landlines.
44:07Has Pakistan launched a brutal war against Kashmiris now in its occupied land?
44:16Bureau Report, India Today.
44:23The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang has completed 100 years
44:27at the centenary celebration's Vijay Dashmi address.
44:32The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang, Sarsang Chalak, Mohan Bhagwat
44:36spoke of the importance of unity in building a Vikasit Bharat.
44:43Stressing on that India first stance, nation first stance,
44:47the RSS chief hailed India's brave soldiers
44:50for giving a befitting response to Pakistani terrorists
44:54who'd singled out Hindus in Pehalgaam and killed them.
44:58Operation Sindur, he said, was an apt response.
45:01He also commented on U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs
45:05and that war on Indian goods.
45:08Mohan Bhagwat underlined the need to adopt Swadeshi products
45:12and the importance of Atmanirbharata
45:15as a way forward for a Vikasit Bharat.
45:18The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang turns 100 this year.
45:42And with praise from some and polarization from others,
45:48the sangh seems poised not just to celebrate the past
45:52but to shape the future.
45:55At the grand Vijay Dashmi itself,
45:58the milestone lent special weight
46:00to the annual address by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
46:03From Nagpur stage, RSS chief hailed Hindu dharma
46:07and his contribution more to the society
46:10than any other religion.
46:12Condemning the brutal killings in Pehalgaam,
46:26Bhagwat praised India's response through Operation Sindur.
46:56Amid U.S. Tariff pressures,
47:12the RSS chief called for embracing Swadeshi and Atmanirbharata.
47:16Bhagwat also criticized ongoing revolutions
47:44in India's neighborhood and called them destabilizing.
47:48While also reiterating that diversity is India's tradition
47:51and that we must embrace our differences.
47:54On Wednesday, at the RSS Centenary celebrations,
47:59in the National Capital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised
48:02the sangh's ideology and its celebration.
48:06On Wednesday, at the RSS Centenary celebrations,
48:10in the National Capital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the sangh's ideology
48:17and its selfless service to the nation.
48:19On Wednesday, at the RSS Centenary celebrations in the National Capital,
48:25Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the sangh's ideology
48:28and its selfless service to the nation.
48:35But the comments did not sit well with the opposition.
49:02Opposition slammed RSS and its idea of a Hindu Rashtra.
49:09Mr. RSS Centenary
49:37And so the message from Nagpur is loud and clear.
49:58RSS is not just looking back at a hundred years.
50:01It's setting the tone for what comes next.
50:07With him Anshu Mishra, Bureau Report, India Today.
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