January 15, 2025: In a scathing rebuke, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi has condemned RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s controversial statement claiming India achieved "true independence" only after the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Gandhi described Bhagwat’s remarks as "treasonous," labeling them an affront to the sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters and a direct attack on the Constitution.

Speaking to Congress workers at the inauguration of the party’s new headquarters, Indira Bhawan, Gandhi expressed his outrage, saying, "Mohan Bhagwat has the audacity to inform the nation every 2-3 days what he thinks about the independence movement and the Constitution." Gandhi further added that Bhagwat’s statement essentially invalidated the constitutional framework and the struggle for independence, accusing him of undermining both the country's history and its legal foundations. "What he said yesterday is treason because he stated that the Constitution is invalid, and the fight against the British was invalid," Gandhi asserted. "He has the audacity to say this publicly. In any other country, he would be arrested and tried."

Bhagwat’s remarks, made earlier this week, ignited a national debate. The RSS chief suggested that India’s "true independence" was only realized when the Ram temple was consecrated in Ayodhya and proposed celebrating the day as "Pratishtha Dwadashi." His statement was immediately met with widespread criticism across political and social circles.

Gandhi’s remarks were particularly pointed, as he referred to Bhagwat’s statements as an "insult to every single Indian citizen." He urged the public to reject such divisive rhetoric, asserting, "It's about time we stop listening to this nonsense that these people think they can just keep parroting out and shouting and screaming."

The political fallout from Bhagwat’s remarks has further deepened the rift between the RSS and Congress, with both sides intensifying their respective positions. As the debate over the interpretation of India’s independence continues, Gandhi's condemnation reflects growing concerns about the erosion of historical and constitutional values.