Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s appeal to India’s Gen Z to take an active role in safeguarding the Constitution and preventing alleged “vote theft” has sparked a fierce backlash from the ruling BJP, which accused him of inciting violence and attempting to stir civil unrest in India. BJP leader Nishikant Dubey also claimed that Gandhi is collaborating with the Soros Foundation to divide the nation.
The war of words erupted after Gandhi, fresh off his second round of voter fraud allegations, urged the country’s youth to defend democracy and resist alleged electoral manipulation. “The nation’s youth, the nation’s students, the nation’s Gen Z, will defend the Constitution, protect democracy, and stop vote theft. I always stand with them. Jai Hind!” Gandhi wrote in Hindi on X
In response, Dubey said that Gen Z has rejected corruption and dynastic politics—a pointed reference to Gandhi’s family lineage, which includes several former prime ministers.
The Gen Z will not tolerate leaders like Rahul Gandhi, he wrote posing questions like “1. Why would they tolerate Rahul Ji after Nehru Ji, Indira Ji, Rajiv Ji, Sonia Ji? “2. They are against corruption; why wouldn’t they chase you away? “3. They want to create an Islamic nation in Bangladesh and a Hindu nation in Nepal—why wouldn’t they make India a Hindu nation? “Get ready to leave the country; they are coming…”
Generation Z, also known as Zoomers, includes those born roughly between 1997 and 2012. As the first generation of digital natives, they’ve grown up with the internet, smartphones, and social media, influencing their values and behaviours. Known for their digital fluency, commitment to diversity, and environmental concerns, Gen Z’s political and social views have it in them to political discourse, as was seen recently in Nepal.
The question is will Gandhi’s allegations about “vote theft”, including specifics about his previous accusations or any ongoing investigations, provide context for his appeal to Gen Z. Analysts say the BJP’s response is not just a simple counter-attack, it raises a serious accusation of Gandhi inciting violence or even instigating a civil war. Why the BJP views Gandhi’s words as dangerous is in mind past political unrest and of course as a party of political strategy.
Gandhi’s supporters rubbish BJP’s allegations saying that Gandhi’s appeal to Gen Z is an appeal to politically active youth both on social media and in street protests as the younger generation is a powerful voice in any debate. How Gen Z responds to the political back-and-forth between Gandhi and the BJP, especially in mind upcoming state elections, remains to be seen.
