Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has come under criticism from the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for referring to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) as a “completely secular party” during an event in the United States. Several BJP leaders expressed disappointment and called his remark “saddening” and “very unfortunate.” In response, Congress leaders argued that the BJP was confusing the IUML with Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s All-India Muslim League.
During an interaction with journalists at the National Press Club in Washington DC, Rahul Gandhi defended the Congress’s alliance with the IUML in Kerala. He stated, “Muslim League is a completely secular party, there is nothing non-secular about them. I think the person (reporter) hasn’t studied the Muslim League.”
Congress responded to the BJP’s criticism by highlighting the distinction between the IUML and Jinnah’s Muslim League, which the BJP has shown affection for in the past, with former BJP leader LK Advani even praising Jinnah. Congress also reminded the BJP that Hindu Mahasabha president Syama Prasad Mookerjee had aligned with Jinnah’s Muslim League to form the government in Bengal during British rule.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted, “Shyama Prasad Mookerjee was in league with the Muslim League in the government in Bengal when (Mahatma) Gandhiji launched the Quit India movement. SPM was singularly responsible for the partition of Bengal.” He referred to a tweet by Congress leader Amitabh Dubey, who criticized BJP IT department head Amit Malviya for confusing the Kerala-based IUML with Jinnah’s Muslim League.
Union Minister and BJP leader Kiren Rijiju called Rahul Gandhi’s statement “extremely unfortunate,” questioning how Jinnah’s Muslim League, responsible for India’s partition along religious lines, could be considered secular. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also expressed his disappointment and stated that the insult to the nation on foreign soil would not be accepted by the people of India.
BJP spokesperson Amit Malaviya suggested that Rahul Gandhi’s remarks were an attempt to remain acceptable in Wayanad, his parliamentary constituency. Congress leader Pawan Khera criticized Malaviya, pointing out that the BJP had previously formed alliances with both the IUML and Jinnah’s Muslim League.
The exchange continued on social media, with Congress leaders taunting and challenging BJP leaders regarding their understanding of history and their party’s past alliances.
The controversy stems from Rahul Gandhi’s characterization of the IUML as a secular party, leading to a heated exchange between the Congress and BJP, each defending their respective positions and criticizing the other’s associations. The dispute highlights the ongoing political tensions and ideological differences between the two parties in India
