Prominent leaders from royal families have condemned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his recent article in The Indian Express, where he criticized the role of princely states during British rule. Among those voicing opposition are Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister Divya Kumari, and Lok Sabha MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, each denouncing Gandhi’s remarks as disrespectful to India’s heritage and historical sacrifices.
Scindia, a Union Minister and member of the former Gwalior royal family, criticized Gandhi’s perspective, accusing him of holding a “colonial mindset” and lacking appreciation for India’s heritage. “Those who sell hatred have no right to lecture on Indian pride and history,” Scindia posted on X (formerly Twitter). He urged Gandhi to honor true Indian heroes like Mahadji Scindia, Kittur Chennamma, and Rani Velu Nachiyar, who fought fiercely for freedom. Scindia further asserted that Gandhi’s privileged background has disconnected him from the struggles of everyday Indians, describing him as a product of “outdated entitlement.”
Divya Kumari Highlights Royal Families’ Contributions to Unified India
Deputy Chief Minister Divya Kumari, herself from a royal lineage in Rajasthan, rebuked Gandhi for allegedly undermining the role of royal families in India’s fight for unity. “I strongly condemn Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to malign the erstwhile royal families of India,” Kumari wrote on X, adding that the dream of a unified India became possible due to sacrifices made by these families. She dismissed Gandhi’s claims as “baseless allegations” based on “half-baked interpretations of historical facts.”
Wadiyar Defends Princely States’ Role in Preserving Heritage
Yaduveer Wadiyar, a descendant of the Mysore royal family and Lok Sabha MP, also criticized Gandhi, accusing him of lacking knowledge about history. Wadiyar emphasized that princely states played a vital role in preserving Indian traditions and contributing to the creation of modern India. “Without their patronage, we might have lost many of the traditions we hold dear today,” Wadiyar said in his post, expressing disappointment over what he called Gandhi’s “ignorant” comments in the article.
Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks on East India Company’s Influence
In his article, Gandhi argued that India’s subjugation under the East India Company stemmed not from its business prowess but from oppressive tactics, including alliances and coercion with pliant maharajas and nawabs. Gandhi’s critique of the princely states’ roles under British rule has sparked strong backlash from royal family leaders, who insist on the contributions made by these families toward India’s independence and unity.
The exchange has underscored longstanding tensions over interpretations of India’s colonial past and the legacy of royal families in shaping Indian history, with critics calling Gandhi’s comments dismissive of historical sacrifices made by India’s princely states.