Rahul Gandhi’s Politics: Two recent statements by Rahul Gandhi are generating considerable discussion. He made a statement in Pune regarding the Manusmriti, written nearly 2,000 years ago, which has angered the Sanatani community. Similarly, three days ago, he raised the issue of Dalits. He stated that Dalit students are discriminated against in schools. Regarding discrimination against Dalits, he also stated that tea shops have separate bowls for Dalits. People are ridiculing him for this statement.
Rahul Gandhi often makes statements that provoke ridicule. His comments are often in the context of criticizing Narendra Modi, the BJP, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Criticism of the BJP and the RSS is part of the Congress party’s core agenda. However, his statements often become a laughingstock. Personal criticism of Prime Minister Modi is his hobby. In 2018, he taunted Modi with the phrase “chowkidar chor” (watchman thief). The result was evident in 2019. Before the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, he called the BJP “vote chor.”
The consequences were that Congress was reduced to six seats, while its allies were reduced to a combined 29. Two of his recent statements are widely discussed. Recently, he made a statement in Pune regarding the Manusmriti, written nearly 2,000 years ago, which has angered the Sanatani community. Similarly, three days ago, he raised the issue of Dalits. He said that Dalit students are discriminated against in schools. In a continuation of his discrimination against Dalits, he also said that there are separate containers for Dalits at tea shops. People are ridiculing him for this statement.
He was once ridiculed for talking about making gold from potatoes.
In 2017, an edited video of Rahul went viral on social media. There was a line from Rahul’s speech: “I will install a machine that will allow potatoes to enter from one side and gold to come out from the other.” This line was widely ridiculed by trolls. However, he had intended this as a taunt against Narendra Modi. Initially, he said, “I will install a machine that will allow potatoes to enter from one side and gold to come out from the other. Put potatoes in from one side and take out gold from the other. You will make so much money that you won’t know what to do with it.” At the end of this statement, he clarified, “These are not my words, these are Narendra Modi’s.” However, BJP’s social media handlers made Rahul a laughingstock by making this line viral. The news spread across the country, and people began mocking Rahul Gandhi.
Now, allegations of discrimination against Dalits in schools have been leveled.
Just four days ago (August 29, 2026), during a press conference in Pune, Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of discrimination against Dalits. After the Congress National President’s program in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, he was scheduled to speak to the media about the alleged purification. He mentioned it, but in the process of elaborating, he deviated from the main issue. He stated that even today, Dalit students are discriminated against in schools. Dalit children are made to do toilet and cleaning work in schools. He also stated that Dalits face discrimination even at tea shops. They are provided with separate cups. They are served tea in disposable glasses, while upper castes are served washable glasses made of porcelain or glass. Rahul’s assessment has led to widespread ridicule. The truth is, such a system is not prevalent at any tea shop.
Rahul’s statement on Manusmriti has sparked controversy.
Rahul’s statement on Manusmriti is also being called absurd. First, Manusmriti was composed approximately 1800-2000 years ago. Under the then-current social system, Manusmriti had the concept of Ashrama Chatushtaya and Varna Chatushtaya. Women were solely responsible for household chores. Today’s situation is completely different. People of all castes and religions are now engaged in various types of work. Women are even working alongside men. Now, no work is done according to Manusmriti.
Anti-BJP leaders still hope for success by talking about the insults to the Sanatan system of Manusmriti. They perhaps believe that speaking against Sanatanism can mobilize minority and Dalit-OBC votes. They forget that this very thinking unites Sanatanists. It is precisely because of Sanatanism that the BJP’s support has grown across all castes and classes, and its ground has steadily strengthened.
Unconcerned about the displeasure of upper castes and Sanatanis
Manusmriti may be irrelevant today, but it holds strong sentiments for upper castes and Sanatanis. Brahmins within the upper caste community are deeply upset with Rahul Gandhi over this. The Bharatiya Janata Party has also begun raising the issue. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Sudhanshu Trivedi have strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi for his statement.
The BJP says that Rahul Gandhi only targets Hinduism and its scriptures. He remains silent on patriarchal practices of other religions, such as the hijab, triple talaq, and Sharia. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi alleges that Rahul Gandhi is making such statements as part of a foreign and Marxist agenda to divide society and defame Indian cultural heritage. His statement is evidence of the Congress party’s anti-Sanatan and anti-Hindu mentality.
Avimukteshwarananda’s Warning to Rahul Gandhi
Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda’s rift with Prime Minister Modi and UP CM Yogi is well known. He has frequently clashed with both. Sometimes he taunts Modi for promoting yoga, and sometimes he opposes the Vishwanath Corridor in Kashi. He has also criticized Modi and Yogi over the consecration of the unfinished temple in Ayodhya. His opposition to political interference in religious matters has certainly not been good for the BJP.
His closeness to Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, a strong opponent of the BJP in UP, is also considered a threat to the BJP. Despite this, he has become a harsh critic of Rahul Gandhi’s statement on the Manusmriti. His criticism has reached the point where he has even warned Rahul Gandhi to publicly apologize for misinterpreting a verse from the Manusmriti.
Rahul Gandhi has given up his pursuit of upper caste votes!
Although there hasn’t been a caste census in the country since 1931, according to the National Family Survey-4, the upper castes (general category) such as Brahmins, Rajputs, Bhumihars, and Kayasthas constitute approximately 27.2 percent of the population. Previously, upper castes, especially Brahmins, were considered Congress voters. This was the reason why upper castes dominated politics during Congress rule. However, due to Congress’s Muslim leanings, upper caste voters became alienated from Congress. They began to favor the BJP. Due to Congress’s Muslim-friendly stance, the BJP’s Hindutva and nationalism became appealing to the upper castes.
Dalits and backward castes also gravitated towards the BJP, the result is clear to all. The BJP managed to capture power at the Centre for the third consecutive time. Congress’s tentacles were also uprooted in the states. Despite this, the Congress remains unconcerned about its core voters, the general category. It seems that the Congress has turned its back on the general category forever. Rahul Gandhi could have gained political advantage by supporting the general category of people protesting the UGC Act. However, he remains unconcerned.
Will Rahul Gandhi’s controversial statements harm Congress in future elections?
Author: Om Prakash Ashk
About the Author
Om Prakash Ashk
He was an editor at Prabhat Khabar, Hindustan, and Rashtriya Sahara. He is a native of Siwan, a predominantly Bhojpuri region.
Courtesy: Hindi News