"Rahul Gandhi does not malign country's image on foreign soil": Congress MP Rajeev Shukla

Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 4 (ANI): Congress MP Rajeev Shukla underlined that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi does not "malign the country's image in foreign soil" and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders of abusing former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru during their trips to foreign countries.
On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's statement in Colombia, Shukla told ANI, "Rahul Gandhi doesn't malign the country's image on foreign soil. He always speaks positively about the country. But what he is saying about democracy is correct."
He pointed out that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is highlighting the issues facing the country and criticised the BJP for dubbing anyone as "anti-national"
"BJP leaders go abroad and criticise the (Former Prime Minister) Manmohan Singh Govt. They (the BJP) go abroad and abuse even Nehru. Is that not anti-national? He (Rahul Gandhi) is not commenting on individuals, he is speaking on issues...It has become fashionable for them that if someone says something against them, they brand them as anti-national..."
Speaking at an event at EIA University of Colombia on Friday, Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the Narendra Modi government, asserting that the biggest challenge India is witnessing is the attack on its democracy.
"India has strong capabilities in areas like engineering and healthcare, so I am very optimistic about the country. But at the same time, there are also flaws in the structure that India has to correct. The biggest challenge is the attack on democracy taking place in India," Gandhi said.
The Congress leader argued that the democratic system remains crucial for diversity, allowing different traditions, customs, and ideas, including religious beliefs, to thrive.
However, he added, the democratic system in India is under attack, which is a "major risk" or threat.
"India has multiple religions, traditions, and languages -- in fact, the country is essentially a conversation between all these people and cultures. Different traditions, religions, and ideas require space, and the best method for creating that space is the democratic system," Gandhi said.
"Currently, there is a wholesale attack on this democratic system, and that is a major risk. Another big risk is the tension between different conceptions in parts of the country. With 16-17 major languages and many religions, it is crucial to allow these diverse traditions to thrive and give them the space they need," he added. (ANI)