While the Indian government is rejecting any foreign interference in domestic matters in India, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has decided to take the opposite path. The Kerala MP stroked a massive outrage today by asking for American interference in India’s internal matters.

While the Indian government is rejecting any foreign interference in domestic matters in India, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has decided to take the opposite path. The Kerala MP stroked a massive outrage today by asking for American interference in India’s internal matters.

Rahul Gandhi made the comments during an online interaction with Ambassador Nicholas Burns of the Harvard Kennedy School. The Gandhi scion was invited by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics to talk about challenges and opportunities in India and reflections on politics and public service. Rahul Gandhi’s obsession with international platforms to draw some pats on his back, instead of connecting with voters, has constantly given Modi ammunition.

“I don’t hear anything from the US establishment about what is happening in India,” said Rahul Gandhi.

Nicholas Burns is a former American ambassador to Greece, and currently a Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi received heavy backlash on Twitter as he was slammed over his remarks on India’s democracy during an interaction with former US Under Secretary of State and Harvard University professor Nicholas Burns. Post BJP’s victory in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, institutions which were supposed to uphold fair political fight in the country were unable to do so anymore, he said, adding that when institutions did not perform their roles, then people were forced to opt for “mass action”, hinting at the ongoing farmers’ protests.

The former American diplomat Burns asked about the farmer protests, he said it is again about how one runs the country. Gandhi argued 'What has happened is that the government has shut the feedback route, so the farmers have no other way except to come out on the streets.'

"It is absolutely necessary to reform agriculture, but you cannot attack the foundation of the agriculture system and you certainly cannot do that without having a conversation, because they are going to react," he said. 

Gandhi’s comments drew flak from various political and non-political leaders in the country who slammed the Congress leader, saying that a “dynast” did not have the right to comment on India’s democracy. Rahul Gandhi seems to be drawing his inspiration from the likes of Mani Shankar Aiyar who, during a panel discussion on a Pakistani news channel in 2015, had sought the removal of the Narendra Modi government, drawing much flak for his usual foot-in-mouth syndrome. And anybody, with even a remote understanding of politics, can tell you why Aiyar should be absolutely nobody’s inspiration.

Rahul Gandhi also added, “I fundamentally believe, that America is a profound idea. The idea of freedom, the way it is encapsulated in your constitution is a very powerful idea. But you got to defend that idea. And that’s the real question.” However, Nicholas Burns didn’t respond to this specifically, only saying that when they will hold the next session in two weeks with another guest from India, they will discuss these matters.

During the session, Rahul Gandhi also extensively criticised the Narendra Modi government in the program by the American university. He also brought the matter of poll officials using a vehicle belonging to a BJP leader to carry EVMs after the elections. He complained that this was a very serious matter which was not being covered by national BJP. He alleged that BJP has absolute dominance over media.

He also alleged that BJP has complete control over the system, including the judiciary, and therefore the opposition parties were not being able to contest against BJP.

Rahul’s flawed approach

The question is not whether one must be allowed to air her or his views openly, the answer to which in a democratic set-up is an obvious yes. The point, however, is that politics is far more complex, and requires a delicate and nuanced approach. And like it or not, Narendra Modi has changed the rules of the game to an extent that it is near-suicidal to give him full toss deliveries to smash sixes, one after another.

By taking to international platforms to convey his views and draw some pats on his back, instead of trying to speak the language voters in India would want to hear, Rahul Gandhi has constantly given Modi that extra leeway.