On Rahul Gandhi's Remarks in US, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's 'Enemies of Nation' Retort

New Delhi: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar slammed Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday for his remarks made during a visit to the United States, stating that it is deeply condemnable and intolerable for someone in a constitutional position to align with the nation's adversaries.

Dhankhar's comments came a day after the BJP condemned Gandhi for meeting with US lawmaker Ilhan Omar and others during his visit, accusing the Congress leader of engaging in "dangerous and mischievous" activities by connecting with individuals abroad who are known for their anti-India views.

Speaking to participants of the third batch of the Rajya Sabha Internship Programme, Dhankhar, who is also the chairperson of the upper house, expressed his distress over the fact that some individuals in positions of power seem unaware of national interests. 

However, the vice president did not mention anyone by name during his address.

He said, "If we are true Indians, we will never side with the enemies of the nation."

The BJP has attacked Gandhi over his remarks on reservation and religious minorities in India and China.

"I am pained and disturbed that some people in position have just no idea of Bharat. They have no idea of our Constitution, they have no idea of our national interest, I am sure your heart must be bleeding at what you see," the vice president said.
He said people have given supreme sacrifice in getting freedom. "Mothers have lost their sons, wives have lost their husbands. We can't ridicule our nationalism," he said.
Dhankhar said every Indian outside the country has to be an ambassador of the nation. "How painful that one who holds a constitutional position is doing just the reverse of it. Nothing can be more condemnable, despicable and intolerable than that you become part of enemies of the nation," he said further.