NEW DELHI: BJP MP Varun Gandhi has declined an invitation to speak at Oxford University on the state of Indian democracy, saying he believes it is best to raise critical issues ‘within India and not in an international forum’ .
“It is a priority to participate in the national debate both internally and internally Parliament and through other forums consistently and constructively. However, such comment must be offered within India to Indian politicians. I see no merit or integrity in voicing internal challenges in an international forum.” Varun he said, refusing the invitation.
In saying this, he not only took a position directly contrary to his cousin and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently spoke at the University of Cambridge on the critical issues faced by Indian democracy under the Narendra Modi regime, but he effectively denied the position taken by the leader of Congress and his party.
The BJP government has launched a sharp attack on Rahul Gandhi, for “slandering India abroad”.
In his response, Varun said: “It is a great honor to be invited to debate at such a prestigious academic platform as the Oxford Union. For an author, public policy commentator and Member of Parliament, participation in such a event is a significant contribution to enabling discourse and dialogue to address and resolve public concerns. While I thank you for this privilege, I sadly have to decline as I believe the chosen topic does not offer much room for debate or dispute.”
“A path that has been charted and pursued by governments of various political affiliations over the past 7 decades since independence…as an elected representative, I see it as my job to strengthen our system by studying and evaluating policy initiatives and offering feedback,” he said, insisting that the debate should be aimed at Indian politicians and not at international platforms.
“It is a priority to participate in the national debate both internally and internally Parliament and through other forums consistently and constructively. However, such comment must be offered within India to Indian politicians. I see no merit or integrity in voicing internal challenges in an international forum.” Varun he said, refusing the invitation.
In saying this, he not only took a position directly contrary to his cousin and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently spoke at the University of Cambridge on the critical issues faced by Indian democracy under the Narendra Modi regime, but he effectively denied the position taken by the leader of Congress and his party.
The BJP government has launched a sharp attack on Rahul Gandhi, for “slandering India abroad”.
In his response, Varun said: “It is a great honor to be invited to debate at such a prestigious academic platform as the Oxford Union. For an author, public policy commentator and Member of Parliament, participation in such a event is a significant contribution to enabling discourse and dialogue to address and resolve public concerns. While I thank you for this privilege, I sadly have to decline as I believe the chosen topic does not offer much room for debate or dispute.”
“A path that has been charted and pursued by governments of various political affiliations over the past 7 decades since independence…as an elected representative, I see it as my job to strengthen our system by studying and evaluating policy initiatives and offering feedback,” he said, insisting that the debate should be aimed at Indian politicians and not at international platforms.
