'If you sat Modiji down with God': RaGa in US
What's the story
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said India was being run by a group of people who believed they knew everything.
In an address in San Francisco, United States, he jibed at the central government led by PM Narendra Modi, saying that they could sit down with God and explain things.
Gandhi also alleged that it was difficult to act politically in India.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Gandhi is on a 10-day visit to the US, with San Francisco as his first stop, followed by Washington, DC, and New York.
He is slated to address the Indian diaspora and interact with activists, academics, and others.
To recall, his last foreign trip, to the United Kingdom, sparked outrage as he was accused of disparaging Indian democracy on foreign soil.
Statement
What exactly did RaGa say?
While attacking PM Modi, Gandhi said, "I think if you sat Modiji down next to God, Modiji would start explaining to God how the universe works. And God would get confused about what he has created."
"There's a group of people who understands everything. They can explain science to scientists, history to historians, warfare to the Army," he added.
Quote
Don't understand anything, not ready to listen: Gandhi on Modi-government
"And at the heart of it is mediocrity, they actually don't understand anything. Because in life, you can not understand anything if you are not ready to listen," Gandhi said about the BJP-led Centre.
Twitter Post
Watch: Gandhi addressing 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan' event in San Francisco
A few people in India are absolutely convinced that they know everything. They think they can explain history to historians, science to scientists and warfare to the army.
— Congress (@INCIndia) May 31, 2023
But at the core of it is mediocrity. They're not ready to listen!
: Sh. @RahulGandhi in San Francisco,… pic.twitter.com/WiJZqygkCk
Politics
'Difficult to act politically in India': Gandhi to NRIs
Gandhi also spoke about the ongoing political scenario in India while addressing the non-resident Indians (NRIs) at the event and accused the Centre of doing injustice to the opposition.
"It is difficult to act politically in India," Gandhi said while slamming the Modi government.
"The BJP is threatening people and misusing government agencies," he alleged.
Praises
Gandhi praised Indian diaspora in America
Lastly, Gandhi praised the Indian diaspora, saying, "I thank the Indian diaspora for holding up the Tricolour in America and showing Americans what it means to be an Indian."
"When Americans praise the contribution of Indians to their growth, it brings us all great pride...That's the India you represent. You would not be here if you did not agree with these values," he added.
Tour
Gandhi arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday
The former Congress MP landed in San Francisco on Tuesday for a three-city US visit during which he will also meet with American MPs.
He was received at the airport by Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) chief Sam Pitroda and other IOC members.
According to reports, Gandhi had to wait for two hours at the airport for immigration clearance.