Despising Shakti: Perfect Continuity Of Agenda In Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra

During Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', the previous version of it, he followed a pattern in choosing whom he met and sought support from.

Almost all of them had exhibited 'Hindumisia' of various levels. Right in Kanyakumari district where he started the yatra, he met Catholic priest George Ponnaiah who was earlier arrested by Tamil Nadu government for hate speech. His hate speech was directed against Hindus.

Rahul Gandhi saw it fit to have a theological consultation with him.

During his meeting with the priest, when Rahul Gandhi spoke of Jesus as a form of god, Ponnaiah corrected him. "Jesus is the real God". Then he went on to explain that Jesus was god revealed in human person — "not like Shakti". Those were the words of Ponnaiah who had earlier spoken ill of Bharat Mata.

The yatra organisers of Rahul Gandhi made it a point that their leader did indeed meet Ponnaiah.

During his recent visit to Mumbai, Rahul Gandhi specifically mentioned "Shakti in Hinduism" and his efforts to counter this "Shakti", signalling continuity from what Ponnaiah explained to him at the beginning of Bharat Jodo Yatra part 1.

It is often noted that since Sonia Gandhi assumed leadership of the Congress, the party has taken subtle anti-Hindu positions. Rahul Gandhi has frequently associated with individuals known for their anti-Hindu sentiments. Those critical of Hinduism, often labelling it as "Brahminical", have been welcomed into the party and given prominence.

In Tamil Nadu, Congress leaders frequently criticise Sanatana Dharma, fabricating fault lines where none exist. For instance, a Member of Parliament, Jyotimani, once claimed on national television that there was no tradition of Ram worship in Tamil Nadu, a statement contradicted by Silapathikaram and Azhwar hymns, not to mention countless temples.

With such speech and actions, the Congress has directly positioned itself against the Rashtra-Chit-Shakti.

This is the Shakti that manifested itself in the hymns of Vedic rishis.

It is the Shakti of Mata Bhavani in the sword of Veer Shivaji.

It is the Shakti that galvanised a defeated and colonised nation into life through the Vedantic roar of Swami Vivekananda. It is the Shakti that emerged from the battle cry of ‘Vande Mataram’. It is the Shakti of inspiration in the songs of Subramania Bharati. It is the Shakti that radiates its brilliance in the integral yoga of Sri Aurobindo.

It is the Shakti that animated itself in the intense patriotism of a Savarkar yoked to the oil mill and thrown into a solitary prison of Andaman. It is the Shakti whose fire is fed by the sacrifice of Madanlal Dhingra and Bhagat Singh.

It is the Shakti that moves the hearts of the nation in the ‘Vaishnav Janato’ approach of Gandhiji and in the lines of Gitanjali of Tagore.

It is the Shakti of Sardar Patel's determination for national integration.

It is the Shakti that animated the cry of ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' and 'Jai Vigyan’. It is the Shakti that made the son of a Rameshwaram boatman develop nuclear-powered missiles. It is the Shakti that made ISRO land at the Shiv-Shakti spot of the moon.

It is the Shakti of connectivity that India has today through roadways and railways. It is Shakti also of Vande Bharat connectivity.

It is the Shakti of the aspirations of generations of Indians over the last seven decades to see an independent India stand strong with its head held high among the nations of the world.

For a large number of Indians today, Narendra Modi stands on the side of that Shakti, and it's not entirely a surprise to find Rahul Gandhi on the opposing team.