Leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, accusing him of ignoring critical issues in Jammu and Kashmir while engaging in rhetoric through his “Man ki Baat” broadcasts. Addressing a massive rally in Central Shalteng, Srinagar, Gandhi asserted that J&K had not only been reduced from statehood to Union Territory (UT) status but was now being ruled by “outsiders” without regard for the people’s aspirations.
“J&K has been downgraded to a UT and is now ruled by those who don’t understand the needs of the people here. The Lieutenant Governor behaves like a Raja, ruling against the will of the people,” said Gandhi.
He criticized Modi for focusing on his radio show “Man ki Baat” while ignoring what he termed “Kaam ki Baat”—the urgent issues of unemployment and the restoration of J&K’s statehood. “Modi loves to talk about ‘Man ki Baat,’ but forgets the real issues—jobs for the youth and bringing back statehood. People are no longer interested in his speeches,” Gandhi remarked.
The Congress leader said the mood in the nation was shifting, and credited the INDIA alliance with challenging Modi’s political dominance. “Before the Lok Sabha polls, we heard about Modi’s ‘56-inch chest’. But thanks to the INDIA alliance, his confidence is broken. He’s no longer the same. I see it clearly in Parliament,” said Gandhi.
Gandhi condemned the BJP for dividing the country and fostering hatred between communities. “The BJP has spread hatred from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, turning brother against brother. But we’ve closed their shops of hatred with our Bharat Jodo Yatra, and we’ll continue spreading love,” he said, referring to his 4,000-km walk across the country.