Rahul Gandhi’s recent trip to the US has reignited the debate over whether Indian leaders should criticise their government while abroad

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent visit to the United States has provoked a war of words between the ruling BJP and the main opposition Congress in India. Should the Indian leaders refrain from badmouthing the ruling BJP while abroad? Is there a red line, and has  Rahul crossed it while he was in the US? The BJP claims yes, and the Congress says no.Gandhi has taken potshots at the Indian government and PM Modi. Congress claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also badmouthed the Congress not once but continuously since he took over in 2014 and visited over 80 countries.

The Congress cites many examples. Also, the BJP has misrepresented Rahul's statements.Rahul aims to engage the Diaspora through programs with the Diaspora, students, officials, and lawmakers in the US, demonstrating the strategic nature of his approach.Why does he want to woo the Diaspora? Modi also has never missed an opportunity to address the Diaspora in whichever country he visits. Rahul, too, wants to connect with the Indian American community. The influence of the Indian American community has increased.

A decade ago, there was one Indian-American in the House of Representatives; now, there are five and one senator. The US has an Indian-origin Presidential nominee Vice President  Kamala Harris, and a vice-presidential candidate, JD Vance, who has an Indian wife.Education, affluence and awareness of the influence in the past two decades are behind the rise of Indian Americans, whose population is one per cent, and their representation in US Congress is now one per cent.Rahul commented on the RSS, India's democracy, Modi's China policy, and religious freedom in India, among other things. On the RSS, Gandhi said that the BJP's parent organisation believes India is "one idea", but the Congress considers it a "diversity of ideas.

This criticism of the RSS, a critical ideological force behind the BJP, upset the BJP. In India, the BJP slammed Rahul's adverse comments and meeting with anti-India US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. The BJP claims that it can be used for anti-India propaganda. Gandhi counters that she was part of the lawmaker's delegation, and how he could have declined to meet with the delegation.Rahul noted that Indian democracy has struggled for the past ten years but is improving.

He also observed that 90% of India's population, including OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis, are not able to take an active part in the democratic process. This has upset the BJP.While Rahul agreed with Modi's policies on Pakistan and Bangladesh, he felt Modi's China policy was flawed. Rahul pointed out," We've got Chinese troops occupying land the size of Delhi in Ladakh. I think that's a disaster."

The BJP fielded top leaders to refute Rahul's allegations, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh leading the response. He rubbished Rahul's claim on China policy. He observed it was "extremely shameful" that the LOP is hurting the dignity of India by saying "misleading, baseless and factless things."Another controversial subject was the caste census. Rahul Gandhi supported the caste census and claimed that BJP was trying to end the reservation. Union Minister Amit Shah quickly responded that they would not allow anyone to abolish reservations or undermine the nation's security. Countering his remarks about the status of Sikhs in India, Senior Minister Hardeep Puri said, “I am a proud Sikh. I have been wearing a turban for over six decades and a kada for even longer...” The BJP takes Rahul's statements seriously, given that he is the LOP. His increased stature after leading the 'Bharat Jodo' yatra and the Leader of the Opposition cannot be wished away.

In the 2024 elections, much to the dismay of the BJP, Congress doubled its number.Second, after the 2024 polls, the opposition coalition INDIA was strengthened. The BJP had to form the government with the help of allies.Third, Rahul visited the US before Modi's scheduled visit on September 22. His trip was well received, which did not please the BJP. But Modi would have a grand welcome at the official and the community levels.

At the end of his visit, Rahul clarified, "The fight for democracy in India is an Indian fight. It has nothing to do with anybody else. It's our problem. And we'll take care of it. We will make sure that democracy is secure." This clarification prevented the idea that he was inviting a foreign power to resolve Indian problems.There is some merit in the BJP saying dirty linen should not be wasted abroad. On an earlier occasion, foreign minister S. Jaishankar said, "I don't think taking national politics out of the country is in the national interest."But this is good for both sides, and both should follow it.

(The writer is a popular columnist; views are personal)