NEW DELHI: Members of country's erstwhile royal families have expressed strong opposition to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent comments in an editorial, accusing him of misrepresenting the contributions and legacy of India’s princely states.
Rahul Gandhi in his opinion piece for the Indian Express, scrutinized India’s colonial history, with specific references to how the East India Company allegedly manipulated Indian royalty for its gain.
"India was silenced by the East India Company. It was silenced not by its business prowess, but by its chokehold. The Company choked India by partnering with, bribing, and threatening our more pliant maharajas and nawabs. It controlled our banking, bureaucratic, and information networks. We didn't lose our freedom to another nation; we lost it to a monopolistic corporation that ran a coercive apparatus," Rahul wrote in his article.
Representatives of royal families argued that these comments by Rahul were not only a distortion of historical facts but also a disservice to those who fought and sacrificed for India’s independence.
Rajasthan's deputy chief minister Diya Kumari, whose father was Jaipur's final ruling Maharaja Man Singh II, rejected Rahul's claims and dismissed his assertions as a gross misrepresentation.
"I strongly condemn Rahul Gandhi's attempt to malign the erstwhile royal families of India. The dream of an integrated India was only possible because of the utmost sacrifice of these families. Baseless allegations, founded on half-baked historical interpretations, are completely unacceptable," Kumari said.
BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jyotiraditya Scindia from Gwalior's dynasty opposed the Congress leader's statements. "Those who sell hatred have no right to lecture on Indian pride and history," he said.
Accusing Rahul of a “colonial mindset,” Scindia countered Gandhi’s interpretation by citing figures such as Mahadji Scindia, Kittur Chennamma, and Rani Velu Nachiyar—figures he argued were true patriots in India’s freedom struggle.
"Your selective amnesia about your own privilege is a disservice to those truly striving against adversity," he noted.
BJP MP from Mysore Yaduveer Wadiyar, and Wadiyar dynasty descendant, stated, "Rahul Gandhi's lack of knowledge of true history is on constant display. His latest statement, via an article this morning, reflects his ignorance of the contributions made by the erstwhile princely states towards today's Bharat, the patronisation of Bharatiya Heritage, without which, we might have lost many of the traditions we hold dear today, and most importantly, the sacrifices they made made towards the formation of a unified India."
BJP MLA from Dewas and royal family member Gayatri Raje Puar criticised Rahul's statements as disregarding the royals' role in preserving "Sanatan Sanskriti." She emphasised their contribution to protecting heritage, sovereignty, and culture, resulting in "Akhand Bharat."
BJP leader and Nathdwara MLA Vishvaraj Singh Mewar said that Rahul's comments demonstrated either "ignorance or intentional misrepresentation."
BJP leader Smriti Irani also criticised Rahul Gandhi's article, stating, "Those who have relegated the Congress party to a 'private limited company' are talking about East India Company. It is equally ironic that Rahul Gandhi said that the East India Company had suppressed India. His statement is an insult to the valour of our freedom fighters like Rani Laxmi Bai, Mangal Pandey and Tatya Tope."
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