Rahul Gandhi Clarifies ‘Shakti’ Remark: Allegiance to Virtue, Not Religious Authority, Sparks Debate Amid Political Rivalry

New Delhi, 18-03-2024 : Under scrutiny for his remarks on “fighting against shakti” during a rally in Mumbai, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi clarified his stance, asserting that he was not referring to any religious power but rather the ‘shakti’ of unrighteousness, corruption, and falsehood. Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of distorting his words, Gandhi emphasized that he was addressing the power represented by Modi himself.

In a post on social media, Gandhi stated that Modi tends to twist his words because he fears the truth being spoken. He highlighted how this ‘shakti’ has purportedly influenced various aspects of Indian society, including institutions like the CBI, I-T, ED, and media, alleging that it controls India’s entire constitutional structure. He further criticized the government’s policies, such as loan waivers for corporates contrasted with farmer suicides over small debts, as manifestations of this power’s influence.

Gandhi clarified that when he speaks against this power, it is not about religious or divine authority but rather opposing unrighteousness, corruption, and falsehood. He accused Modi of being subservient to this power, evident in policies like GST and privatization, which allegedly benefit only a select few while burdening the common people.

The controversy arose after Gandhi’s remarks at a rally in Mumbai, where he characterized Modi as a “mask” for this power. Responding to this, Prime Minister Modi, in a rally in Telangana, portrayed himself as a worshipper of ‘shakti’, aligning it with the strength symbolized by mothers and daughters. He criticized the INDIA bloc’s manifesto for advocating the destruction of ‘shakti’, presenting the upcoming elections as a battle between those who seek to destroy it and those who venerate it.