Newtown, Oct 21 (IANS) West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on Wednesday criticised Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his remarks against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying that his views were of little concern to the public and that he has much to learn about India and the organisation.
Speaking to reporters, Ghosh said Gandhi’s statements had little impact, alleging that he lacked independent thinking and describing him as immature.
“What Rahul Gandhi believes is of no concern to the public. He still has a lot to learn about India and the RSS. It has only been 50-55 years, and he is still immature. He cannot think independently, which is why his statements have no impact,” Ghosh said.
His remarks came a day after Gandhi criticised the RSS, accusing the organisation of being anti-constitutional and holding views that subordinate women to men.
“The RSS is an al male anti-constitutional cult that believes women are the property of men. I believe in Shiva-Shakti. That’s why it gives me such joy to fight them. What’s beautiful is that many of their ‘own’ women are on my side,” Gandhi said on Tuesday.
Ghosh further alleged that attempts were being made in different parts of the country, including Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, to influence public opinion through foreign funding and external intervention.
He claimed that money had entered Kolkata through various individuals and said the government was aware of the matter.
“Across the country, including in Delhi and Mumbai, efforts are being made to mislead the government and the public. Foreign funding is coming in, people are arriving from abroad, and attempts are being made to influence people through external sources. Similar efforts are taking place in Kolkata, where a significant amount of money has already come in through various individuals, and the government is also aware of it,” he told IANS.
Ghosh urged people to unite against such activities and prevent any disturbance in the state.
Reacting to the burning of cockroach effigies during Dussehra celebrations on Tuesday, the minister said such practices were consistent with the festival’s symbolism of destroying evil.
“Cockroaches should be burned, and other effigies representing different forms of demons should also be burned. Look at Durga Puja in Bengal. Every pandal features a different form of a demon, and several such effigies are burned,” he said.
Ghosh also backed the Centre’s position on India’s decisions regarding international oil trade, saying that the country’s national interests would remain the priority despite external pressure.
“Our respected Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister have repeatedly said that decisions about whom India buys oil from and whom it sells it to are internal matters. We will make these decisions based on our national interests. There was a lot of pressure, but our Prime Minister did not bow to it. India’s agenda is ‘Nation First’, and that will remain our priority,” he said.
–IANS
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