Rahul Gandhi: “Fight is between RSS ideology and spirit of Karnataka”

Congress President Rahul Gandhi in a press conference in Bengaluru on May 10, had searing words for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying that the fight in the Karnataka elections was between the RSS’ ideology and the spirit of Karnataka.

"On one side you have the RSS idea of one concept in the whole country. On the other, you have an idea that every single person in the country should be able to express himself; that all my friends in Karnataka should have pride in their language, in their food. That is what this fight has become. My friends in Karnataka, listen to this carefully. The idea is to crush your spirit. We will never ever allow your spirit and ideas of Basavanna to be crushed," said Rahul.

Touching on the issue of rising instances of anti-Dalit atrocities, Rahul reassured the public that Congress would continue to defend the marginalised communities of the country.

“When people in Una are beaten and humiliated, our Prime Minister doesn’t say a word,” said Rahul. He noted that budget allocation for Dalits and tribal by the Modi government for the entire country was just double of what the Karnataka government alone budgeted for these communities.

Rahul Gandhi’s comments on violence against women, minorities and Dalits

• Atrocities against women, rapes of women is a political issue. Absolutely it’s a national issue. Are you telling me that Indian women are getting raped and politicians should not discuss it. It is an issue that is fundamental. The treatment of our women is absolutely an issue across India and we will continue to raise it.
• There are many different ways our people express themselves and our people have multiple different beliefs. As a leader of a political party it is my job to expand myself in their beliefs. Whoever invites me to whichever institution, I will go because I respect their perspective. So that is my position on religious institutions.
• Throughout the last 15 years, I have been vising temples, mosques and gurudwaras and other religious institutions. For some reasons, the BJP doesn’t like this, the BJP gets very uncomfortable when I go to a temple.
• There is a difference between helping a community to express themselves, empowering the community and crushing the community. The BJP is busy in that with Dalits and minorities, they are crushing them, killing them, humiliating them and dividing the country. There is a big difference between the two. Congress party’s perspective is to help people empower themselves