In UAE, Rahul Gandhi brings up intolerance debate again
Dubai: Congress president Rahul Gandhi while praising UAE for declaring 2019 as the ‘Year of Tolerance’ today attacked the Modi regime by stating that the government had propagated four and a half years of “intolerance” in India.
While speaking at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Gandhi said, “The values that bring together the people of UAE and India are humility and tolerance; tolerance for different ideas, religions and communities. Here it is year of tolerance. I’m sad to say that back home it is four and a half years of intolerance:”
While addressing the Indian diaspora, Gandhi, who is on a two-day tour of UAE, said, “We can never run a country like India believing that only one idea is correct and all others are wrong. Today, my beloved country India is being divided for political reasons and benefits.
“We are here in a cricket stadium. Can a cricket team which is divided ever win a game? Can a divided nation ever win? Every single Indian, irrespective of where they live, is responsible to bring India together once again. We have to say enough… First One nation.”
The Congress chief was addressing the public on “Idea of India” at the cricket stadium. The Congress chief, who had visited Dubai Labour Accommodation where he met the business community and students, attacked PM Narendra Modi and BJP before a jam-packed stadium.
Gandhi said, “Some people said Congress mukt Bharat, we don’t want a BJP mukt Bharat. We first want one Bharat.”
Seeking support from NRIs in Dubai for the upcoming Lok Sabha poll, Rahul Gandhi added, “We are facing an electoral battle in 2019. Let me tell you that we are going to win that battle and bring India together and take on the challenges that our great country faces.”
“My beloved country is being divided for political reasons and benefits. It is being divided in different religions, communities, the rich and poor,” he said.
He said the Indian workers in the UAE have given their sweat, blood and time for the development of this city and have made Indians of all backgrounds proud.
“When I drive through the UAE, I see your energy, blood and sweat. You have helped build this nation, and I feel proud that you have played your part with dignity, togetherness and tolerance,” the Congress president said.
Gandhi was the official chief guest at the ‘Indo-Arab cultural programme’ at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday evening. Around 70 folk artists from various Indian states performed at the stadium before Gandhi stepped in to address the Indian diaspora.
This is the only event where Gandhi will address the general public.
