Congress leader Rahul Gandhi fiercely criticized RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for his statement that India achieved “true independence” with the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Addressing the inauguration of the new Congress headquarters in Delhi, Gandhi termed Bhagwat’s remark as “treason” and an insult to the freedom struggle, freedom fighters, and the Indian Constitution. He asserted that such a statement invalidates the sacrifices made during the independence movement and undermines the significance of India’s Constitution. Gandhi stated, “In any other country, Bhagwat would be arrested and tried for making such remarks.”

Mohan Bhagwat, speaking at an event in Indore, had described the consecration of the Ram Temple as marking the day of Bharat’s “true independence.” He claimed that while India attained political freedom in 1947, the nation’s spirit, tied to figures like Ram, Krishna, and Shiva, was realized with the temple’s establishment. Gandhi dismissed these claims, accusing the RSS chief of insulting every Indian and questioning the authenticity of the independence struggle. The Congress leader emphasized that the Constitution is the foundation of India’s freedom and called for an end to such rhetoric.

This controversy adds to the growing political divide, with critics accusing the RSS of attempting to redefine India’s history and independence narrative. Bhagwat’s statements, made during the National Devi Ahilya award ceremony, have sparked sharp reactions from the opposition, who view them as a direct attack on India’s secular and democratic values. Gandhi reiterated the need to protect the Constitution and urged people to reject divisive and polarizing ideologies.