Rahul Gandhi Flags Threat to Democracy in India, Accuses BJP of Weaponizing Institutions

Berlin, Germany:
Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi has raised serious concerns about the fairness of elections in India, alleging that the BJP has taken control of key institutional structures. Speaking at a dialogue program titled “Politics is the Art of Listening” at the Hertie School in Berlin, Gandhi claimed that intelligence agencies, the CBI, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been turned into tools for political purposes.

A video of the session was uploaded on Gandhi’s YouTube channel on Monday. He said, “We are questioning the integrity of elections in India… there is a coordinated attack on our democratic framework.” He also highlighted anomalies such as the appearance of a Brazilian model’s name in 22 places in Haryana’s voter list.

Allegations Against BJP

Gandhi accused the ruling party of weaponizing government machinery against opposition. He stated:

• “The Election Commission does not respond to the questions we raise… the electoral system has basic structural issues. The institutional framework has been entirely captured. Our intelligence agencies, CBI, and ED have been converted into weapons.”
• He added that the majority of cases filed by CBI and ED target opposition figures, while BJP leaders remain largely untouched.
• He also alleged that businesspersons intending to support the Congress face threats and interventions from these agencies.

Financial Edge of BJP

Rahul Gandhi further emphasized that BJP possesses a far greater financial advantage over Congress during elections. He said, “As the opposition, we must find ways to tackle this imbalance. Our fight is not just against BJP; it is also against the capture of India’s institutional framework.”

Other Issues Addressed

Gandhi addressed air pollution in Delhi and other major Indian cities, noting that production and pollution are not inherently contradictory. He highlighted the importance of using clean energy sources to reduce urban pollution, citing Germany as an example of high production with clean air.

On international matters, he discussed Israel, stating: “India purchases defense equipment from multiple countries including Israel, Russia, and the USA. While we must defend ourselves in difficult situations, targeting civilians, especially women and children, is entirely wrong.”