New Delhi: In a candid speech but rare of its kind, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has flayed powerful people of trying to run down their own country and said there is an ecosystem that is working to combat India’s emergence as Global power.
“An ecosystem is being shaped to combat India’s emergence as Global power. It is the favourite theme of some outside institutions to attack India’s legitimacy as a nation State and its Constitution, ignoring ground reality,” the Vice President said in his speech at the News18 Rising India meet.
He said, “You will not find a parallel in the world that people holding the positions of power would go to other countries to run down their own country. We all need to reflect on this.”
He said there is a need to be cognizant of intense virtual warfare against India’s integrity by “well orchestrated global machinery” functioning within and outside the country.
“One can see an entire ecosystem aimed at handicapping our growth. Attacking India’s legitimacy as nation state, its constitutional institutions including the Parliament is becoming favourite past time of some outside the country,” he said.
The remarks have assumed significance in the light of latest political controversies vis-a-vis Congress leader Rahul Gandhi making certain remarks in London. The Vice President said an intense assault on India’s values, integrity and its institutions is emanating from well-maintained incubators.
“I wouldn’t say much but would draw your attention – look at South Asia Studies in an ivy league university. This is being funded by our billionaires, even the Government in 2008 funded it. But look at their activities, with respect to our nation and with respect to our neighbouring nation,,” he said.
Without taking names, the Vice President said, it is unfortunate that a legally sanctified crusade against corruption is sought to be combated by partisan stance and individual concerns.
“How can issues of corruption be seen with pollical prism? It is time for all of us to realise, none in democracy can claim on any ground whatsoever, to be above the law and beyond the reach of the law,” Jagdeep Dhankhar said.
He said India today is a global destination of investment and opportunity in otherwise stressed global scenario.
“It was a moment of pride for us all in September 2022 when India became the fifth largest global economy, overtaking our erstwhile colonial rulers – the UK. By turn of the decade India will be third largest global economy.”
Jagdeep Dhankhar appealed to journalists and intelligentsia to generate the climate so that our parliamentarians, in temples of democracy, exemplify high standards worth emulating by people at large.
“These temples of democracy, legitimate constitutional theatres for dialogue, debate, discussion and deliberation are plagued by disruptions and disturbance,” he said.
