In a recent jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi took to microblogging site X to criticize Modi’s statement regarding Mahatma Gandhi’s global recognition. The Prime Minister, during a TV interview, suggested that the world was unaware of Mahatma Gandhi until the release of Richard Attenborough’s 1982 film, “Gandhi”. Responding to this claim, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “Only a student of ‘Entire Political Science’ would need to watch the film to know about Mahatma Gandhi.”
Gandhi’s remark, infused with sarcasm, directly referenced the educational background of PM Modi, as highlighted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on their Twitter account. The BJP had previously publicized Modi’s educational credentials, stating that he holds a BA from Delhi University and an MA from Gujarat University.
PM Modi’s statement regarding Mahatma Gandhi’s global recognition has stirred controversy, particularly amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024. In the interview, Modi asserted that Mahatma Gandhi’s stature on the world stage was significantly propelled by Attenborough’s film, suggesting that prior to its release, Gandhi was relatively unknown globally. He emphasized the need for the Indian government to do more to promote Gandhi’s legacy, especially in comparison to other globally renowned figures like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr.
The educational background of Prime Minister Modi has been a recurrent point of contention between the Congress and the BJP, with Rahul Gandhi often highlighting discrepancies or inconsistencies. The issue gained traction when leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Sanjay Singh and Arvind Kejriwal, faced a defamation case for questioning Modi’s educational qualifications.
In March 2023, the Gujarat High Court ruled in favor of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), stating that Modi’s degree certificates need not be disclosed under the Right to Information Act (RTI Act). Following this decision, Gujarat University filed a defamation complaint against Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh.
The exchange of barbs between political leaders underscores the charged atmosphere surrounding the Lok Sabha Elections, with each party seeking to gain an edge through strategic rhetoric and public discourse. As the election campaign intensifies, such incidents serve to highlight the underlying tensions and competing narratives within the Indian political landscape.
