Know in regards to the controversies of Ro Khanna, batting for Rahul Gandhi

On Friday (March 24), US House Representative Ro Khanna stirred the hornet’s nest by making unsolicited remarks in regards to the inner political affairs of India. The growth comes after Congress scion Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from Lok Sabha following his conviction in a felony defamation case.

In a tweet (archive), he claimed, “The expulsion of Rahul Gandhi from parliament is a deep betrayal of Gandhian philosophy and India’s deepest values.”

The US politician additional added, “This is not what my grandfather sacrificed years in jail for. Narendra Modi, you have the power to reverse this decision for the sake of Indian democracy.”

The expulsion of Rahul Gandhi from parliament is a deep betrayal of Gandhian philosophy and India’s deepest values. This shouldn’t be what my grandfather sacrificed years in jail for. @narendramodi you’ve gotten the facility to reverse this choice for the the sake of Indian democracy. https://t.co/h85qlYMn1J

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) March 24, 2023

Ro Khanna was reacting to an article by The New York Times, which shrewdly insinuated that the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi was in some way on account of his opposition to PM Narendra Modi.

Although he’s of Indian origin by lineage, Khanna was born in Philadelphia metropolis of Pennsylvania. He has been actively concerned in US politics as a Democratic Party chief since 2016. As such, his interference in India’s inner affairs with out absolutely understanding the political context has drawn the ire of Indians.

This shouldn’t be the primary time he has made unsolicited feedback on inner affairs in India, he has finished in earlier additionally.

Ro Khanna offered a distorted model of Hindutva, made passing remarks about farm legal guidelines

In August 2019, Ro Khanna courted controversy for presenting a distorted model of Hindutva to his American followers.

He had tweeted (archive), “Important article. It’s the duty of every American politician of Hindu faith to stand for pluralism, reject Hindutva, and speak for equal rights for Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhist & Christians. That is the vision of India my grandfather Amarnath Vidyalankar fought for.”

Important article. It’s the obligation of each American politician of Hindu religion to face for pluralism, reject Hindutva, and converse for equal rights for Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhist & Christians. That is the imaginative and prescient of India my grandfather Amarnath Vidyalankar fought for.

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) August 29, 2019

In that approach, the US House Representative seemed that Hindutva promotes inequality and discrimination in opposition to different religions. In essence, Hindutava (as outlined by Veer Savarkar [pdf]) is an inclusive time period that represents all the things ‘Indic’.

He argued that the residents of India are united by their widespread tradition, race and affinity for the nation the place they reside. Khanna’s demonisation of Hindutva has added to the misinterpretation of the Indic idea.

India & the US share a wealthy custom of democracy & peaceable protests. Farmworkers are the spine of each our nations & should have their voices heard. I hope there’s a peaceable and truthful answer to allow them to present for his or her households. I’m inspired by the continuing dialogue.

— Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) December 13, 2020

During the anti-farm legislation agitation in India in 2020, Ro Khanna tweeted (archive), “India & the US share a rich tradition of democracy & peaceful protests. Farmworkers are the backbone of both our nations & must have their voices heard.”

“I hope there’s a peaceful and fair solution so they can provide for their families. I am encouraged by the ongoing dialogue,” he additional added.

Ro Khanna joined Congressional Pakistan Caucus in 2019

In August 2019, Ro Khanna joined the Pakistan Congressional Caucus, turning into the primary Indian-American to take action. This transfer had raised eyebrows within the Indian-American neighborhood, whereas he was welcomed by the Pakistanis, together with Pakistan’s ambassador to the US.

Notably, Ro Khann can be a member of the India Caucus within the Congress and is presently the Vice-Chair of the identical. He is ready to turn into the subsequent chair of the Congressional Caucus on India.

In September 2019, round 230 Indian-American organisations within the US wrote a letter to Ro Khanna, urging him to withdraw from the Congressional Pakistan Caucus.

“Membership in (the Congressional Pakistan) Caucus is contrary to both American principles and our geostrategic interests in the Indian Subcontinent and the broader South Asian region,” the letter learn. It additionally raised considerations about Ro Khanna’s social media interplay with an anti-Hindu activist, Pieter Friedrich.

“We further urge you to write directly to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and meet with (Pakistan) Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan to address Pakistan’s ongoing use of terrorism to destabilise the region and its rampant and severe human rights violations,” the letter emphasised.

However, Ro Khanna refused to withdraw from the Congressional Pakistan Caucus. “I think it all stems from a naivete that they don’t understand politics. But it is really irrelevant in my district and that’s where my first priority is,” he defended his choice.

“I certainly will never bow my convictions because of a special interest lobby…I have no tolerance for right-wing nationalists who are affiliated with Donald Trump…They are maybe 2 to 3 per cent in an echo chamber in this district…But they will see that our values, our district, is pluralistic.” Khanna had mentioned.

Association with Equality Labs

Equality Labs, which is thought for anti-Hindu propaganda, has labored with Congressman Ro Khanna to introduce a decision in celebration of the 129th start anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar.

In a press assertion, he mentioned, “Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was a pioneer in the movement to make India a free, fair, and just society for everyone in it.”

He additional said, “He mobilized a generation to push back against discrimination and to instead celebrate equality, human rights, and universal tolerance. Today, we stand at a moment in world history when we could all use more of that compassionate spirit.”

“I’m proud to work with Equality Labs and South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) to make this landmark resolution a reality,” Ro Khanna added.

The controversial previous of Ro Khanna’s grandfather

Ro Khanna, a supposed champion of free speech and civil liberties, had been in awe of his grandfather Amarnath Vidyalankar, who was a part of the ruling Indira Gandhi authorities throughout the Emergency (1975-1977).

The US House Representative had expressed deep admiration for his grandfather on a variety of events. In October 2019, he mentioned, “My grandfather, or Nana Ji, as we called him, was a family legend.”

He additional claimed, “Amarnath Vidyalankar spent his life fighting for India’s independence, which included spending four years in prison in Mahatma Gandhi’s movement. I still remember the conversations we had together, many of them while playing chess.”

Your grandfather was a rented rotter who supported the emergency and stood by Indira Gandhi, voted to expel @Swamy39 from Parliament, & accredited the worst extra of that interval: mass jailings, torture & compelled sterilisation. So shut up & sit down you charlatan cc @sfchronicle https://t.co/tiq3aaWNNR pic.twitter.com/4zw7HFLMqx

— Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval) March 24, 2023

“These conversations, and the stories that lived on after his passing left a lasting impression on me,” Khanna emphasised. However, he forgot so as to add that Amarnath Vidyalankar was a part of the Congress authorities that suppressed freedom of speech and expression.

According to political analyst Abhijit Iyer Mitra, Khanna’s grandfather not solely stood by Indira Gandhi however allegedly supported “the worst excess of that period: mass jailings, torture & forced sterilisation.” Mitra accused Amarnath Vidyalankar of guaranteeing the expulsion of Subramanian Swamy from the Indian Parliament.