In a strongly worded critique, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale accused the Congress of sabotaging India’s reputation through their protest at the Artificial Intelligence Summit. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he dismissed the agitation as ‘anti-national,’ arguing it inflicted serious damage during a crucial international event.
The summit, a testament to India’s tech ambitions under PM Modi, hosted delegates from 80-90 countries. Presidents and PMs arrived on India’s invitation, only to face opposition-sponsored unrest. Athawale decried this as a betrayal of national honor, spotlighting how it overshadowed discussions on AI’s transformative potential.
Rahul Gandhi came under fire, with Athawale claiming he’s tarnishing Congress’s legacy. Such displays signal hostility toward India’s rise, prioritizing disruption over constructive opposition.
On reservations in Maharashtra, Athawale emphasized existing benefits for Muslims via OBC (80% castes included) and EWS quotas. Religion-linked quotas violate the Constitution, per Supreme Court directives, guiding state policies.
Tackling infiltration, he affirmed Amit Shah’s resolve: no sanctuary for illegals. Voter list manipulations will be uprooted, expelling intruders from both rolls and borders. The Election Commission prioritizes clean lists, curbing anomalies like deceased voters for impartial elections— a non-partisan effort.
Paying homage, Athawale endorsed Bharat Ratna for Ram Vilas Paswan, his longtime friend and Ambedkar follower. Paswan’s legacy in national politics, Bihar development, and Dalit upliftment warrants this supreme recognition; the government must act decisively.
Athawale’s statements intensify political discourse, positioning the NDA as guardians of India’s image, welfare schemes, and democratic sanctity against perceived opposition recklessness.