'Worn-out political bogey': Pitroda targets BJP over criticism of Rahul's foreign trips

Rahul Gandhi does not travel abroad to seek foreign intervention or disparage his homeland, Pitroda said

NEW DELHI: Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) chairman Sam Pitroda on Wednesday hit out at the BJP over its criticism of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's foreign visits, calling it a "worn-out political bogey"."Every single time Rahul Gandhi steps outside India, the BJP's well-oiled communication machinery swings into action with manufactured outrage. Rahul Gandhi does not travel abroad to seek foreign intervention or disparage his homeland. He comes to engage with the diaspora, scholars, policymakers, and innovators on critical shifts in the global economy, artificial intelligence, and democratic governance.

To say that discussing the health of Indian democracy abroad amounts to treason is an insult to the intelligence of the Indian electorate", Pitroda said.His remarks came ahead of the Bharat Summit 2026, which is scheduled to be held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) and is expected to bring together 600 to 700 participants from around 70 countries. Speaking to news agency ANI, Pitroda said the summit would provide a platform for discussions on the state of democracy and the challenges facing democratic institutions worldwide.

Explaining the need for such a gathering, he said, "Bharat Summit is a collaboration of various people. We all came together to have a broader conversation on the state of democracy globally. Progressive Alliance is a group of roughly 100 countries’ democratic parties. Democracy, in many ways, has been hijacked in many countries."Pitroda alleged that democratic institutions were being undermined through electoral processes, the capture of institutions, restrictions on civil society and manipulation of the media.

He said the concentration of power and wealth had also weakened the principle of inclusive democracy, leaving minorities, tribals, OBCs and women vulnerable.He further argued that emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, would require democracies to rethink how they function.

"With the rise of AI, a lot of things are going to change. Democracy will have to be redesigned. We are at a crossroads in human history," he said, adding that Rahul Gandhi would deliver the summit's valedictory address.Backing Rahul Gandhi's challenge to PM Modi for a public debate, Pitroda questioned why the Prime Minister could not engage in a discussion with the Congress leader. He said political leaders should focus on pressing issues such as Delhi's air pollution, examination paper leaks and economic inequality instead of resorting to personal attacks."Rahul Gandhi has been personally attacked with thousands of crores of investment in media. Even if you are his opposition, you have to respect that the man is standing up with pride," Pitroda said, adding that the Congress leader continued to raise concerns affecting young people, OBCs, Dalits, minorities, tribals and economically weaker sections.