Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has claimed that India’s institutional system is facing a ‘full-scale assault’ and is being used to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking at the Hertie School in Berlin during his visit to Germany, Gandhi claimed that key democratic institutions have been “weaponised” and no longer function independently.
Addressing students and faculty, Gandhi alleged that there is a serious problem with India’s electoral and institutional machinery. He pointed to central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and intelligence agencies, alleging that they are being used selectively against political opponents of the BJP.
He argues that a simple comparison of cases shows the imbalance. According to him, agencies like ED and CBI have filed numerous cases against opposition leaders, while cases against BJP leaders are “almost zero”. Gandhi said this creates an atmosphere where institutions are unable to do what they are meant to do, act independently and fairly.
The Congress leader said his party played a key role in building India’s institutional framework and never treated these bodies as its personal tools. In contrast, he claimed the BJP sees institutions as belonging to them and uses them to strengthen political power. He also pointed to the huge gap in political funding, saying the BJP has nearly 30 times more money than the Opposition, which further tilts the playing field.
Gandhi said the Opposition cannot simply complain about flaws in the system but must actively find ways to respond. He stressed the need to create a strong and effective form of resistance that can challenge what he described as an unfair system. According to him, the political fight in India has now gone beyond elections and has become a battle over the country’s future direction.
INDIA bloc united against RSS ideology, says Gandhi
Speaking about the INDIA alliance, Rahul Gandhi said people often assume opposition unity appears only during elections, but that is not the full picture. He said all parties in the INDIA bloc may have tactical differences, but they are united in rejecting the core ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
He said none of the alliance partners believe in the RSS’s ideological position, and that is what binds them together. While disagreements and contests between parties will continue, Gandhi said the Opposition shows strong unity when it comes to resisting laws and policies they oppose, especially in Parliament.
BJP hits back, accuses Rahul Gandhi of ‘defaming India’
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in Germany triggered a sharp reaction from the BJP, which accused him of insulting India on foreign soil. BJP president and Union Minister JP Nadda questioned Gandhi’s timing, pointing out that Parliament was in session while he was abroad.
Nadda said that whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives global recognition, Rahul Gandhi travels overseas to criticise India. He accused the Congress leader of “abusing India” internationally instead of raising issues within the country.
On Rahul Gandhi’s statement, Union Minister of State and BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje said the Congress MP is not the Leader of Opposition but an anti-India leader who goes abroad and speaks against the nation.
“What does he aim to gain by doing this? He still behaves like a child, not a leader,” Karandlaje said. She further said Gandhi is not acting like a Leader of the Opposition but like an “Leader of Propaganda” who repeatedly speaks against the country abroad. Karandlaje questioned what Gandhi hoped to achieve by making such statements outside India.
BJP slams Rahul Gandhi for questioning the fairness of India’s elections during his visit to Germany.
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 22, 2025
Once again, Rahul Gandhi has indulged in “Bharat badnami” on foreign soil. He should now rename LoP as “Leader of Propaganda”: @Shehzad_Ind
Watch as @NiyamikaS &… pic.twitter.com/HVFUIRZDDJ
BJP leaders escalate attack on Rahul Gandhi
BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari launched a strong attack on social media, questioning Gandhi’s intentions. He asked whether someone who truly loves India would want the country to fail. In a post on X, Bhandari claimed Gandhi had spoken about unrest, failure, and internal conflict in India during his Germany visit.
Rahul Gandhi says-" We think people will fight with each other, we think India will fail"
— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)?? (@pradip103) December 23, 2025
Can a man who loves Bharat want India to fail?
Rahul Gandhi in Germany says he thinks:
– People will fight each other
-India will fail
– Unrest will happen
From Fighting Indian state,… pic.twitter.com/1Fg6n2pgNT
Bhandari accused Gandhi and the Congress of wanting chaos and instability in Indian democracy. He also linked Gandhi’s statements to what he called “anti-India forces” and foreign influence, claiming the Congress wants disorder rather than progress.
Another BJP spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawalla, said Rahul Gandhi was once again on what he described as a “Defame India” tour. He accused Gandhi of spreading lies abroad and claimed that he consistently praises China while criticising India. Poonawalla said Gandhi’s remarks about India lacking manufacturing and institutions being destroyed were misleading and harmful to the country’s image.
According to the BJP, Gandhi’s comments show that he is more interested in attacking India internationally than contributing positively to democratic debate at home.
