Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has triggered a fresh political storm after labelling Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh “traitors” during a rally in his constituency of Raebareli.

The remarks, delivered on the second day of his visit, prompted a fierce counter-attack from BJP leaders, who accused the Congress of “anarchic” thinking and claimed Gandhi’s rhetoric mirrored that of hostile foreign forces. 

Gandhi made the allegations while addressing a ‘Bahujan Swabhiman Sabha’ commemorating local revolutionary Veera Pasi, where he urged supporters to confront RSS workers and call out what he described as a systematic assault on India’s constitutional framework.

Gandhi repeats strong allegations at Raebareli rally

Speaking to supporters, Gandhi said, "When RSS workers come to your homes and talk about Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, you must tell them that their organisation, Modi and Shah are traitors. They have worked towards selling our country and attacked our Constitution, Ambedkarji and Mahatma Gandhi."

He accused the prime minister of weakening welfare programmes, refusing to conduct a caste census and allegedly favouring a handful of industrialists. Gandhi also warned of an impending economic crisis, citing global tensions and disruption in oil supply.

Gandhi further alleged that rising inflation, fuel shortages and farmer distress would intensify in the coming months.

He said Modi had "handed over India's economic system" to select business figures and argued that the government had dismantled pillars of the Constitution, including public sector protections and judicial independence.

BJP denounces remarks as ‘crass’, ‘anarchic’

Leaders of the ruling BJP swiftly condemned Gandhi’s statements. Neeraj Singh, son of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, called the comments a sign of desperation within the Congress.

"To use such language against the prime minister and home minister smacks of not just political immaturity but mental bankruptcy too," he said, adding that Gandhi should issue an unconditional apology.

BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said the Congress leader’s remarks reflected the “poor condition” of his party.

National spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari escalated the attack, alleging, "Rahul Gandhi is calling all 140 crore Indians traitors. His language mirrors that of Pakistan and Pakistan-supported terrorists, as such statements can only be made by them."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also weighed in, calling Gandhi the Congress’s “‘yuvraj’” and asserting that his comments insulted democratic values. He wrote on X that the remarks were “an insult to the mandate, trust, and democratic ethos of 145 crore countrymen.”

Congress defends Gandhi, says BJP diverting attention

Congress leaders rallied behind Gandhi, arguing that his remarks highlighted legitimate concerns about economic distress and constitutional erosion. UP Congress chief Ajay Rai said rising inflation, unemployment and farmer unrest were being masked by BJP outrage. He asked: "Isn't it true that the country's interests have been hit…?"

The party insisted Gandhi was speaking out against what it sees as the government’s failure to protect constitutional rights and economic stability.

Historical parallels drawn by BJP

Senior BJP leader Anurag Thakur accused the Congress of hypocrisy, arguing that the real assault on democratic institutions occurred during the Emergency under Indira Gandhi.

He said, "The very actions Rahul Gandhi speaks of today were, in fact, carried out by Indira Gandhi when she imposed the Emergency."

Thakur also credited Babasaheb Ambedkar with safeguarding the rights of citizens and said the RSS had historically “stepped forward” during national crises.

Debate over constitution, economy intensifies

Gandhi’s speech centred on what he described as a sustained attack on constitutional values, economic equality and independent institutions. He referenced Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar repeatedly, arguing that their ideology was under threat.

He also revisited earlier grievances, including demonetisation, the government’s handling of Covid-19 and alleged deletions of voter rolls. Gandhi claimed the RSS’s growing influence in educational institutions undermined academic integrity.

(With PTI inputs)