NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul targeted the BJP-led central government from South America again, saying said that the idea of free and scientific thinking was under “tremendous attack in India.” The comments came during an interaction with students at the University of Chile on the country’s education system.“This is under attack in India—the idea of free thinking, the idea of being open, the idea of being scientific, of being logical, this is under tremendous attack in India currently. And that’s something that we want to defend,” Rahul replied when asked what Congress would like to change about the education system.Congress posted the video only hours after BJP leader Amit Malviya questioned the secrecy over Rahul’s trip to South America. “Rahul Gandhithe Leader of the Opposition, left for South America on September 26. It’s been over 15 days now, and apart from a few staged videos meant to divert attention from the real purpose of his visit, there’s complete silence. Where exactly is Rahul Gandhi, and what is he doing in South America? Why all this secrecy?” he posted on X.Meanwhile, Rahul also talked about the need for an inclusive education system that represented India’s diversity and was accessible to all, calling it the “foundation of freedom.”“When it comes to education, it begins with curiosity and the freedom to think openly and ask questions without any fear or constraints—political or social. Education must not become a privilege for a few because it is the very foundation of freedom. India needs an education system that fosters a scientific temper, encourages critical thinking, and reflects the rich diversity of our nation,” he said.He also visited the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and had “insightful dialogue focused on education, democracy and geopolitics.”This comes only days after Rahul “wholesale attack on democracy” remark, made during an interaction at EIA University in Colombia, sparked a political uproar in India.“The single biggest risk is the attack on democracy that is taking place in India because India has multiple religions, multiple traditions, multiple languages. And India actually is a conversation between all its people and different traditions, different religions, different ideas require space. And that the best method for creating that space is the democratic system. And currently there is a wholesale attack on the democratic system in India,” Rahul had said.The BJP had taken offence to the statement terming him a “Leader of Propaganda” and criticising him for “once again” denigrating Indian democracy on a foreign platform.“Once again Rahul Gandhi behaves like LoP – Leader of Propaganda Goes abroad and attacks Indian Democracy! After all he wants to fight Indian state! Sometimes Demands US UK should intervene into our affairs and now this From Sena to Judiciary to Sanvidhan to Sanatan!” Shehzad Poonawalla had said.
