New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday criticised Rahul Gandhi, saying he has a habit of criticising India abroad and it is not in the interest of the country to take its internal matters to the outside world.
Referring to Gandhi’s recent remarks made at an event in the US, the minister said, “The world is watching us”.
“Rahul Gandhi has a habit of criticising India abroad,” he said, replying to a question.
“I don’t think taking national politics out of the country is in national interest,” Jaishankar said.
Gandhi, currently on a visit to the US, has criticised the government on a number of issues.
At an event in the US, Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to drive the Indian car by only looking in the rear-view mirror which will lead to “one accident after another.”
Meanwhile, the Congress on Thursday urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take up strongly with Canadian authorities reports of a float depicting the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi being part of a parade in Brampton.
Canadian High Commissioner to India Cameron Mackay said he was “appalled” by the reports of the event in his country that “celebrated” the assassination of the Indian prime minister.
“There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities,” Mackay said in a tweet.
Congress leader and former Union minister Milind Deora shared a purported video, which is doing the rounds on social media, of a float at a recent parade in Brampton depicting Gandhi’s assassination.
“As an Indian, I’m appalled by the 5 km-long parade which took place in the city of Brampton, Canada, depicting the assassination of Indira Gandhi,” he tweeted.
“It’s not about taking sides, it’s about respect for a nation’s history and the pain caused by its Prime Minister’s assassination,” Deora said.
This extremism deserves universal condemnation and a united response, the Congress leader asserted.
Tagging Deora’s tweet, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “I entirely agree! This is despicable and Dr S Jaishankar should take it up strongly with the Canadian authorities.” Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984.
PTI

Press Trust of India