No More A Radical View: Why Debate Over Rahul Gandhi’s Motives Must Move To Mainstream

In the faraway lanes of Medellin, Colombia, India’s Leader of Opposition has once again reignited concern over the practice of taking domestic political disputes onto foreign platforms - raising serious questions about the narratives he chooses to amplify on foreign soil. 

While he may position himself as a voice for democratic change, a closer look at his rhetoric suggests he may be echoing the agenda of forces actively seeking to undermine the Indian government and subvert its democratic processes.

A key part of his modus operandi has been to make unfounded allegations against India’s democratic process on foreign soil.

The pattern of foreign entities targeting India is not new. Foundations run by global billionaires like George Soros, Pierre Omidyar's Omidyar Network, and The Ford Foundation have long been on a government watchlist for their activities in this regard. These organisations have also been known to be linked to regime change operations around the world. 

And so far, the pattern points to success in neighbouring Myanmar and Bangladesh. 

Consider this – Rahul Gandhi said at the EIA University in Colombia – “The biggest risk is the attack on democracy that is taking place in India.” 

Hungarian-born, US-based billionaire George Soros said something eerily similar at the Munich Conference in February 2023, when he openly expressed his desire for a "democratic revival in India." Soros went on to add that a political weakening of the current government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi could "open the door to push for much-needed institutional reforms". 

Rahul Gandhi’s continued anti-India rhetoric falls perfectly into this existing framework used by international trouble-makers and the local plants. His critiques, delivered at multiple international platforms, mimic the strategy of these foreign foundations or the US Deep State. 

This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has insulted India abroad. In September 2024 while on a US visit, Gandhi also insulted our democracy by making outrageous and baseless remarks. On the same trip, he met US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar who is notorious for her radical Islamist, pro-Pakistan and pro-Khalistani rhetoric. 

Even worse is his close aide and head of the Indian Overseas Congress, Sam Pitroda, who said – "I have been to Pakistan, and I must tell you, I felt at home. I have been to Bangladesh, Nepal, and I feel at home. I don't feel like I am in a foreign country.” This was in September this year.

It is no coincidence that like in Bangladesh, our other neighbours too have witnessed large scale protests, violence and riots, resulting in regime change. The Deep State playbook is amply evident in all of these. 

The Deep State’s hand has been hovering over India for decades now. That hand and the Congress’ hand are one. 

Successive electoral defeats have blunted the Congress’ hopes of coming to power democratically. And now the strategy has shifted to the undermining of Indian democracy in the eyes of the world - especially ideological aligned organisations across the political funding, lobbying, media and activism space. The past few years have seen coordinated attacks on made up issues get remarkable mind space in India through the coordinated amplification of Congress and its friendly opinion makers. The examples of such attempts are many - the spurious Hindenberg articles, the unfactual BBC documentary on the Gujarat riots, spurious ‘Press Freedom Rankings’, unfounded allegations on EVMs and the EC etc.

Recent unrest in Ladakh has shown how local tensions can be amplified online to romanticize disorder and encourage unrest elsewhere. Such narratives, at times echoed by sections of the opposition and social media influencers, risk normalizing disruption and undermining democratic stability.

We have seen recent attempts to manufacture violence in Ladakh and create sympathy for anarchist forces, which were then shamefully amplified by Congress leaders and social media handles, extolling the ‘youth’ or “Gen-Z" to execute similar such anarchist violence across the nation. Such narratives, when it comes from well known political leaders, risk normalizing disruption and undermining democratic stability.

As India steps into an era of global prominence, it is vital that domestic political debate, however sharp, remains rooted in truth and national interest. When leaders speak abroad in ways that question India’s democratic fabric, it is fair to ask whether this strengthens the nation or plays into external efforts to weaken its image.

India has benefited from the public confidence inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the firm stewardship of Home Minister Amit Shah, which together have maintained order and protected national stability over the past decade.

And while we can surely depend on their leadership for the future, the people of India deserve to have an honest debate on whose interests Rahul Gandhi truly represents when he criticises his nation abroad — those of India's democracy, or those of a powerful, well-funded US Deep State aiming for regime change.

This has been an argument that has been relegated largely to the social media space for now but evidence shows that the time has come for the mainstream to ask tough questions to the opposition on their cynical and desperate methods to destabilise our country just because they are unable to win elections.

India must remain vigilant against those who act as a "wolf in sheep's clothing" — be they foreign billionaires or domestic politicians — to protect the integrity of its sovereignty and democracy.