Rahul Gandhi Calls Lord Ram ‘Mythological’; BJP Accuses Congress of ‘Anti-Hindu’ Mindset

Rahul Gandhi sparked a political storm by calling Lord Ram a “mythological figure” during an event at Brown University, drawing sharp criticism from BJP leaders who accused him of insulting Hindu sentiments.

In a video from the U.S. event that has gone viral, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “All are mythological figures; Lord Ram was of that type, where he was forgiving, he was compassionate.” The BJP swiftly condemned the comment, labelling it disrespectful and anti-Hindu.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Gandhi of questioning the existence of Lord Ram. “Rashtra Drohi Congress, Ab Ram Drohi Congress,” he posted on X, claiming Congress has consistently opposed Lord Ram and the Ram Mandir movement.

“This is the mindset of a party that is anti-Ram and anti-Hindu,” Poonawalla added, citing Congress’s past resistance to the Ram Setu and use of terms like “Hindu terror.”

CR Kesavan, another BJP spokesperson, recalled the 2007 UPA government’s affidavit in the Supreme Court, which claimed there was no historical evidence of Lord Ram’s existence. He also mentioned statements from Congress allies like the DMK that mocked Ram Setu, invoking an old remark questioning where Lord Ram studied engineering.

Another viral moment from the Brown University event featured a Sikh student confronting Gandhi over his claim that the BJP might ban turbans and kadas. The student alleged that Congress itself has suppressed Sikh voices and shielded the accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

“We want freedom of expression, which under Congress has not been allowed,” the student said. He cited the case of Sajjan Kumar, a Congress leader convicted in connection with the 1984 riots.

In response, Gandhi said, “I take responsibility… what happened in the 1980s was wrong,” acknowledging past missteps under Congress rule.

The row comes amid a history of political clashes between the Congress and BJP over religious issues. The Congress party had previously expressed reservations about the Ram Mandir construction, while BJP has consistently championed the temple’s cause, making it a key electoral plank.

This latest controversy could further polarize voters ahead of upcoming elections, especially with BJP positioning itself as the defender of Hindu identity.