Rahul Gandhi accuses Bhagwat of treason over 'true independence' remark

In a scathing response to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's recent remark, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused him of committing an act of treason. Bhagwat had stated that India gained its "true independence" the day the Ram Mandir was consecrated in Ayodhya, implying that the nation’s true freedom was not achieved in 1947 when India gained political independence from the British.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new Congress headquarters, ‘Indira Gandhi Bhawan,’ in New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi sharply criticized Bhagwat’s comments. He called the statement an insult to every Indian who fought for independence and undermined the efforts of the freedom fighters. Gandhi further stated that Bhagwat's remarks suggested that the Constitution was invalid and the fight against British colonialism was worthless.

"This is treason," Gandhi said, emphasizing that such remarks challenge the very foundation of India’s independence movement. He went on to argue that if similar statements were made in other countries, the person responsible would likely be arrested. Rahul Gandhi also expressed frustration with the constant barrage of statements from Bhagwat, accusing him of frequently imposing his personal views on matters of national importance.

Mohan Bhagwat, in his remarks, clarified that while India gained political independence on August 15, 1947, it was only after the Ram Mandir was built that the nation’s "true independence" was achieved. According to Bhagwat, India’s true freedom was tied to the establishment of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a project long considered central to the ideological vision of the RSS.

These comments have sparked controversy across the political spectrum. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and RSS have stood by Bhagwat’s statement, other political figures have raised concerns about mixing religion with politics. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also criticized the move, saying that there should be no political exploitation of the Ram Mandir issue.