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Rahul Gandhi said the Modi government was witnessing the “expression” of India following massive student protests.
Rahul Gandhi also criticised the Modi government’s approach to foreign policy, saying he did not understand the idea that diplomacy was primarily about building personal friendships with foreign leaders. (File image: PTI)
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming there are “many hidden reasons” why he does not sleep at night.
Speaking at an event, Gandhi said the Narendra Modi-led government was witnessing the “expression” of India following massive student protests and claimed that the country would continue to voice its concerns.
“Our job is very simple, and we can drive them crazy. I’m telling you, Narendra Modi does not sleep at night. There are different reasons. There is an obvious reason, and there are many hidden reasons too,” Gandhi said.
He also took a swipe at and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, questioning his absence from Parliament amid recent student protests.
“You saw Amit Shah, the so-called—what was he called? Chanakya, what else? Sardar Patel. Where has he disappeared? He couldn’t come to the Parliament House for 20 days. Why? Because for the first time, they are feeling India’s expression,” Gandhi said.
He added that the government had realised that “this country will not stop expressing itself.”
#WATCH | Delhi: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, “…Our job is very simple, and we can drive them crazy. I’m telling you, Narendra Modi does not sleep at night. There are different reasons. There is an obvious reason, and there are many hidden reasons too. You… pic.twitter.com/sZM4puhi6I— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2026
Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Foreign Policy Means Hugging’ Remark
Rahul Gandhi also criticised the Modi government’s approach to foreign policy, saying he did not understand the idea that diplomacy was primarily about building personal friendships with foreign leaders. “I don’t know where it came from; this idea got into their heads. I don’t know who put it there or where it came from, the idea that foreign policy means hugging politicians,” he said.
Recalling a childhood visit to the United States with his mother Sonia Gandhi and grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi narrated an anecdote about an official dinner involving then-US President Ronald Reagan’s wife, Nancy Reagan.
He said the incident illustrated his view that a Prime Minister’s foreign engagements should be driven by national interests rather than personal friendships.
“You aren’t just visiting a friend’s house. In this role, the Prime Minister of India doesn’t engage in mere friendship. They have no interest in friendship; their job is to protect the country,” he said, quoting his grandmother’s remarks.
Rahul Gandhi Calls RSS ‘Instrument of Large Capital’
Rahul Gandhi also launched a sharp attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), claiming that the organisation had changed fundamentally over the years. He said the RSS originally represented sections of India’s small-business community, including goldsmiths and jewellers, but had since been “captured” by large capital.
“The RSS as an original force is dead. Now the RSS is the instrument of large capital,” he said.
He also criticised the organisation’s traditional displays involving sticks, saying its members were “making a fool of themselves”.
Rahul Gandhi further questioned the Prime Minister’s approach to the media and repeated his criticism of Modi for not holding regular press conferences.
“Have you ever thought about why the Prime Minister doesn’t do press conferences?” Gandhi asked, adding that he had initially believed it was a “marketing strategy”.
‘You’re Fighting A Bunch of Jokers’: Rahul Gandhi
In another sharp remark, Rahul Gandhi said there was no reason for Congress or the opposition to be afraid of the BJP or the RSS.
“I can understand if you are fighting the British Empire and suddenly you say, I’m feeling a bit scared. But you’re fighting a bunch of jokers,” he said.
Gandhi accused his political opponents of having little understanding of India’s history and philosophy. He argued that understanding India requires understanding the country as it exists today rather than looking only at its history thousands of years ago.
“To understand India, you can’t understand India 3,000 years ago. You have to understand it today, right now,” Gandhi said, adding that India’s “expression” was key to understanding the country.
About the Author
Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg…Read More
August 13, 2026, 18:43 IST
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