# Why Is Rahul Gandhi Silent on Those Glorifying the Bangladesh Model? Congress Must Answer the Nation: Dr. Seema Thakur
**Democracy Cannot Be an Excuse for Anarchy and Violent Politics; Congress Must Clarify Its Stand: Dr. Seema Thakur**
**Shimla, October 16, 2026:** Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Himachal Pradesh spokesperson Dr. Seema Thakur launched a sharp attack on Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, asking the Congress to clarify what kind of political system it envisions for India. She said an alleged statement by JNU student and All India Students' Association (AISA) national president Neha Vohra regarding Bangladesh had raised serious questions about the Congress's political direction and its approach to protests.
Dr. Thakur said that in a video message reportedly issued on October 14 for a conference organised by Bangladesh's Socialist Students' Front, Neha Vohra allegedly said that Bangladesh's Gen-Z movement had shown her the way and extended a “Lal Salaam” to the protesters. She questioned whether Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra agreed with such views and demanded that the Congress leadership publicly clarify its position if it did not.
The BJP spokesperson said the world had witnessed the violent developments in Bangladesh in 2024. According to an assessment by the United Nations Human Rights Office, approximately 1,400 people may have been killed during the unrest. Thousands were injured, and incidents of attacks on minorities were also reported. Presenting a movement associated with such developments as a model for India's youth was a matter of serious concern, she said.
Dr. Thakur said Rahul Gandhi frequently spoke about “political resistance,” but there was a clear distinction between political resistance and anarchy. In India, she asserted, a change of government must come through the people's mandate and constitutional procedures, not through violence and disorder.
She also questioned the Congress over Neha Vohra's reported participation in protests against the Election Commission in Delhi and the presence of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at such demonstrations. She said allegations against the Election Commission should be backed by concrete evidence and that making unsubstantiated accusations against constitutional institutions did not serve the interests of democracy.
Dr. Thakur further said that the use of symbols and slogans associated with movements in other countries had also become a subject of discussion. While the use of such symbols alone did not establish the existence of any conspiracy, she said political leaders had a responsibility to ensure that protests remained peaceful and lawful.
Referring to an alleged violent statement linked to Prashant Bhushan, she said any advocacy of bloodshed in public life was unacceptable. She called for the authenticity of such statements to be verified and said any ideas supporting violence should be unequivocally condemned.
Dr. Thakur asked the Congress to answer three questions: Does it consider violent developments such as those witnessed in Bangladesh a model for India? Does Rahul Gandhi agree with Neha Vohra's alleged statement? And is the Congress fully committed to peaceful and constitutional forms of protest?
She said the BJP respected democratic dissent but would not accept the glorification of violence and anarchy. India's democracy, she asserted, would be strengthened by the Constitution, the people's mandate and the rule of law—not by political instability.