'Speaking about poor, Dalits, minorities is not Dimagi Naxal': Sam Pitroda says, 'Ask Muslims, Christians, ...

'Speaking about poor, Dalits, minorities is not Dimagi Naxal':Sam Pitroda says, 'Ask Muslims, Christians, Jews, & Buddhists how they feel in India'

Indian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and the central government over several issues. Reacting to the Prime Minister’s ‘Dimagi Naxal’ remark, he said that speaking in support of the poor, Dalits and minorities is not Naxalism or communism.

In an interview with news agency ANI, Pitroda said humanity should be placed above everything and that all people come from the same place. On RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement, he said Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and Jews should be asked how they feel in India today.

In his 15 August speech, Modi had said that Naxalism had been eliminated from the country, but ‘intellectual Naxals’ were still present. During his US visit, Bhagwat had said that if a Hindu thinks that Muslims should not be in India, then he cannot remain a Hindu.

Pitroda said, ‘We are benefiting today from things built before 2014’; 6 key points…

1. On Bhagwat’s statement- Simply saying that Muslims, Christians, Jews and Buddhists are respected is not enough. If the reality is the opposite, there is a difference between words and actions.

How people are treated is more important than what is said about them. To understand the actual situation, it is necessary to look at people’s experiences.

2. On the work of governments before 2014- Many of the facilities and institutions seen in the country today were developed over the past 70 years. Earlier governments may have made mistakes, but they also built a large number of institutions and systems in the country.

People who studied at institutions such as IITs and IIMs are now working across the world, and this is the result of the system created by the country’s early leadership.

What major new institutions have been built after 2014 that can be compared with that institutional legacy?

3. On 7.8% GDP growth- Merely increasing GDP is not enough. It is important to see who is benefiting from this economic growth. Is this development reaching ordinary people, and are its benefits being distributed equally?

The rupee reaching around the 100 level is an indicator of the economic situation for him. Along with economic growth, it is important to see how many new billionaires are being created and how much ordinary people’s lives are improving.

4. In support of Rahul Gandhi- On the FIR against Rahul Gandhi over the ‘purification’ controversy in Haldwani, Pitroda defended the Congress leader. Calling Rahul Gandhi a strong leader, he said he has intellectual ability, determination, courage and confidence in his ideas.

Rahul Gandhi is playing an important role in presenting the Congress’s idea of India.

5. On the independence of institutions- Excessive concentration of power in the Prime Minister’s Office has weakened the independence of institutions.

According to him, institutions such as the judiciary, Election Commission, Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department and local police feel pressure when taking independent action against the government. If an institution takes action against the government, there is a risk of action or pressure against it.

In a democracy, independent institutions and strong watchdogs are essential, but according to him, such oversight mechanisms have weakened under the current system.

6. On Parliament’s Monsoon Session- He is disappointed by the level of debate in Parliament. At times, MPs are seen shouting at each other instead of discussing issues.

Rahul Gandhi performed well in Parliament, while Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also put forward his views effectively. During the session, the government appeared to be under pressure on several issues.