Surat, that convicted Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi in a 2019 defamation case, a strong sense of anger prevails among Modis – the OBC community PM Narendra Modi hails from – against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his old “all Modi thieves” which has resulted in his disqualification from parliament.
At the Modi Bhavan, a community building, people said that they were deeply hurt with Rahul’s statement and feel that such “casteist” remarks will further damage the grand old party’s prospects in future elections.
During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Karnataka, named PM Modi alongside fugitives Lalit Modi and Nirav Modi while asking why all “thieves” have the same surname.
Recently, a local court convicted Rahul in a criminal defamation case filed by former Gujarat state minister and BJP leader Purnesh Modi, eventually resulting in his disqualification from the Lok Sabha.
The BJP has been using the issue to portray the Congress as anti-OBC and woo the community ahead of the 2024 general election.
Speaking to The New Indian, Suresh Modi, a local in Surat, said, “It has hurt my sentiments. Our community supports the court judgment. We are proud of Purnesh bhai. Look at the history of our community: we sweat it out to make our way to the top. Look at PM Modi.”
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Condemning Rahul’s statement, Pankaj Modi, a member of the Shree Uttar Gujarat Modi Vanik Youth Circle, said: “Modis are spread around the world. Modis can’t be thieves.”
Many community members called upon political leaders to refrain from making defamatory statements against any caste or community and suggest Opposition parties to focus on outperforming PM Modi.
“Rahul Gandhi is a political leader and he should think about India’s progress. He can never win elections by making such statements. He has hurt the Modi community’s sentiments,” said an agitated Kannu Bhai Modi.
He blamed Rahul’s statement for Congress’ humiliating performance in the last general elections. “He made this objectionable statement and people responded by giving 303 seats in the BJP,” said Kannu Bhai, adding that the community stands united in fight against the Gandhi scion.
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Speaking about the history of the Modi community in Gujarat, Chandrakant Modi said, “During the times of Siddharth, we came here to sell oil and later settled in different parts of the state. Rahul’s statement has hurt us deeply. The court decision will restore our respect.”
On their part, the Congress has dismissed the BJP’s allegations about the party insulting the community, saying that it was Congress governments that implemented the Mandal Commission and made a provision of reservation for OBCs in higher education in 2006.