Thu Nov 07 09:39:03 UTC 2024: ## Royal Families and BJP Leaders Condemn Rahul Gandhi’s “Colonial Mindset”
**New Delhi:** A chorus of condemnation has erupted against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, with several royal family members and BJP leaders accusing him of displaying a “colonial mindset” and ignorance of India’s rich history. The criticism stems from an opinion piece Gandhi wrote for The Indian Express, where he argued that the East India Company’s control over India was not due to its business acumen, but rather its oppressive tactics, including bribing and threatening “pliant maharajas and nawabs.”
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, himself from a royal family, was particularly scathing in his criticism. He accused Gandhi of “selling hatred” and lacking understanding of India’s heritage, urging him to learn about “true Indian heroes” like Mahadji Scindia and Rani Velu Nachiyar who fought for India’s freedom. Scindia also highlighted the disconnect between Gandhi’s privileged background and the struggles of ordinary Indians, suggesting his pronouncements on Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) are insincere.
Echoing this sentiment, BJP leader and Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Divya Kumari emphasized the vital role played by erstwhile royal families in the formation of a united India. She condemned Gandhi’s attempt to malign these families based on “half-baked interpretations of historical facts.”
Lok Sabha MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, a member of the erstwhile royal family of Mysore, also criticized Gandhi’s “lack of knowledge of true history,” highlighting the contributions of princely states to India’s cultural heritage and their sacrifices towards achieving unity.
These criticisms reflect a growing divide between the BJP and Congress over their respective narratives of Indian history. The BJP has often championed the role of pre-independence rulers in India’s cultural and political landscape, while Congress, under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, has focused on criticizing the legacy of colonialism and highlighting the struggles of ordinary Indians.
First Piper 