In a sharp critique, Numal Momin, the Deputy Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly and a prominent leader of the BJP, condemned the Gandhi family's repeated acts of humiliation towards elderly leaders and figures from backward communities, citing a recent incident involving Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The remarks came after Kharge, who is over 80 years old and a senior leader within the Congress party, was allegedly left outside during the filing of Priyanka Gandhi’s nomination, a moment that Momin described as deeply disrespectful.
Momin accused Rahul Gandhi of having a history of humiliating political figures, including Assam's Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. He highlighted how this pattern of behavior extends even within the Congress party, where Kharge, despite his significant position, was treated with disregard. According to Momin, this incident reflects a larger issue within the Congress, where the Gandhi family’s leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi, fails to show respect for senior leaders, regardless of their caste or community.
He noted that this isn’t an isolated event, pointing out that Rahul Gandhi had previously disrespected former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by publicly tearing up one of his press statements. Momin argued that if Rahul Gandhi could humiliate a Prime Minister, it was not surprising that Mallikarjun Kharge, a leader from a backward community, was treated similarly.
"The Gandhi family thinks of themselves as the supreme power in Indian politics, humiliating others without any regard for their position or contributions," Momin said. He further criticized this behavior as going against Indian cultural values, which traditionally emphasize respect for elders. Momin drew attention to the significance of elders in Indian society, where touching their feet is considered a gesture of respect. He argued that the Gandhi family’s actions contradict this, highlighting their disregard for cultural values and respect for elders.
Momin also underscored that this humiliation extended to the Dalit community, given Kharge’s background, calling the Congress party’s treatment of its senior leader an example of "double standards" when it comes to equality and representation. He added that while Rahul Gandhi often speaks about equality for all communities, his actions towards Kharge, a leader from a backward community, show a stark contradiction.
Momin concluded by condemning this pattern of dynastic politics within the Congress, where the Gandhis dominate decision-making, often at the expense of other senior leaders. He called on political parties to refrain from humiliating their leaders and members, stressing the importance of respecting people from all castes, communities, and age groups.