Making A Political Point: Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan Joins Congress' Rahul Gandhi On His Yatra

Former RBI Governor, Raghuram Rajan, joined Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra at Bundi, Rajasthan.

He was seen walking along with Gandhi, putting doubts about his political affiliations to rest. Later, Gandhi tweeted a photo of him with Rajan during the Yatra.

He wrote, "Freedom is the essence of democracy & harmony is the foundation of a prosperous Economy. We walk for unity and to secure India’s future."

Rajan was appointed as the Chief Economic Advisor in 2012 and later RBI Governor in 2013, both during the Manmohan Singh era. In 2014, after the Modi government came to power, he continued in the position till the end of his three year term in 2016.

After failing to reserve a renewed term, he returned to academics at the University of Chicago. Soon after, he assumed the role of a public commentator, often targeting the Modi government on its economic policies.

From Jan Dhan to PLI scheme, Rajan criticised the government and even predicted doomsday for the Indian economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His criticism, cloaked in neutrality, have always been based more on his political inclination than any intellectual honesty.

Over the years, Swarajya has pointed to several prophecies of the former RBI governor that have time and again proven to be flawed. Following are some of the must-read pieces on the subject:

• Half-Politician: Raghuram Rajan’s Punditry On Economics Can’t Be Taken Seriously Anymore As It Lacks Intellectual Honesty

• From Half-Politician To Activist: The Continued Downslide Of Raghuram Rajan

• 'One-Eyed' RRR, The Economist, Is A Flop Show, Unlike Rajamouli's Blockbuster

• Raghuram Rajan And Why Academic Achievements Are No Proof Of Moral Superiority

Before Rajan, Medha Patkar, notorious for her attempts to stall the Narmada dam project, was seen at the Bharat Jodo Yatra walking along with Rahul Gandhi.