Wikileaks: Rahul Gandhi "warns" US that Hindu groups more dangerous than LeT

[arun81]

Rahul Gandhi, the "crown prince" of Indian politics, told the US ambassador at a lunch last year that Hindu extremist groups could pose a greater threat to his country than Muslim militants. In controversial comments likely to cause a storm in India, Gandhi – considered a likely prime ministerial candidate and a scion of the country's leading political family – warned Timothy Roemer that although "there was evidence of some support for [islamic terrorist group Laskar-e-Taiba] among certain elements in India's indigenous Muslim community, the bigger threat may be the growth of radicalised Hindu groups, which create religious tensions and political confrontations with the Muslim community". The 40-year-old politician, the son of the Congress party president, Sonia Gandhi, told the ambassador that "the risk of a "homegrown" extremist front, reacting to terror attacks coming from Pakistan or from Islamist groups in India, was a growing concern and one that demanded constant attention". The US view of him has evolved. In late 2007, US diplomats described the young politician, recently appointed to lead the Congress youth wing, as "widely viewed as an empty suit and will have to prove wrong those who dismiss him as a lightweight". "To do so he will have to demonstrate determination, depth, savvy and stamina. He will need to get his hands dirty in the untidy and ruthless business that is Indian politics," one said in a cable entitled The son also rises: Rahul Gandhi takes another step towards top job. Other cables talk of Gandhi's political inexperience and repeated gaffes. They also repeat cutting criticism from political analysts and journalists. However as Gandhi warmed to the US, the US warmed to him. In a meeting with another American official last summer, he explained his strategy of targeting rural populations and small towns, impressing his interlocutor. "[Gandhi] came off as a practiced politician who knew how to get his message across, was precise and articulate and demonstrated a mastery that belied the image some have of [him] as a dilettante," the official said. In November last year, after a meeting with the US ambassador, a cable to Washington described Gandhi as "an elusive contact in the past" but now "clearly interested in reaching out to the USG [united States government]". A cable from February this year describes him as "increasingly sure-footed". For Roemer, writing after the lunch during which Gandhi had commented on extremism, "the rising profile of young leaders like Rahul Gandhi provides [the USA with] an opening to expand the constituency in support of the strategic partnership with a long term horizon". http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/16/wikileaks-rahul-gandhi-warned-us-hindu-extremism

[ravishingravi]

In Bossbhai's words "We are going green"

[jf1gp_1]

The 40-year-old politician, the son of the Congress party president, Sonia Gandhi, told the ambassador that "the risk of a "homegrown" extremist front, reacting to terror attacks coming from Pakistan or from Islamist groups in India, was a growing concern and one that demanded constant attention". ]

Does this statement offend me ? absolutely, but think about it activities carried out by LeT or IM or any such group have largely been contained. However, if large Hindu population is mobilized against one community it would be a disaster, all the progress we have made both socially and economically over the past decade will be undone. We as a nation are moving forward; lets not take a back step.

[suraj]

Does this statement offend me ? absolutely' date=' but think about it activities carried out by LeT or IM or any such group have largely been contained. However, if large Hindu population is mobilized against one community it would be a disaster, all the progress we have made both socially and economically over the past decade will be undone. We as a nation are moving forward; lets not take a back step.[/quote'] WTF!!! That holds true for any majority in any nation unless it is an aparthied like situation

[achilles]

Alright, so this is common knowledge. Donno whats the big "leak". The TV channels are playing it up as if it were the biggest leak in wikileaks history. FTR, I'm slightly in agreement with Rahul.

[jf1gp_1]

WTF!!! That holds true for any majority in any nation unless it is an aparthied like situation

then let it happen it any other nation not India

[Clarke]

Is he stupid or something ? Instead of cooperating with the most powerful nation on a common enemy (Islamic terrorism) he suggests "hey, we got some other problems to worry about" :hmmmm2:

[King Tendulkar]

What do you expect from catholic half italian. Disgrace We all know thats how his party think but to read it is disturbing

[Sir john]

News channel showing this again and again. :wall:

[ravishingravi]

The thing is this does not come as a surprise since he had made his stand pretty clear. But what I find genuinely scary is that he could some day become PM. Now, Congress have been smart and kept him protected from one on one interviews or discussions or debates and building this myth around him which has been shattered somewhat by the Bihar elections. His lack of insight and depth is appalling to say the least. I won't even go into his repetitive rhetoric in the few occasions that we have had the privelege of listening to him. Rahul’s ‘two Indias’ story too often retold http://www.swapan55.com/2010/11/rahuls-two-indias-story-too-often.html

[hari504504]

if they keep all the terrorists like Afzal Guru and Kasab in (cough) "prison"...without hanging them, it is only a matter of time before true patriots take things into their own hands... It is effin ridiculous that Kasab's had such a long trial..the man was caught on camera walking around with an automatic . If existing legislation is the issue..then they should pass new ones and hang these sods from the nearest telephone post.

[yoda]

Ok, it is indeed scary to know that these guys genuinely believe that "hindu terrorism" is a bigger problem than even LeT. So far I was thinking it was mainly vote bank politics, but apparently they really think so. Moron thinks reaction to terrorist outfits is a bigger threat than the terrorists themselves. LOL!

[hari504504]

Ok' date=' it is indeed scary to know that these guys genuinely believe that "hindu terrorism" is a bigger problem than even LeT. So far I was thinking it was mainly [b']vote bank politics, but apparently they really think so. Moron thinks reaction to terrorist outfits is a bigger threat than the terrorists themselves. LOL!

The main reason I am all for a benevolent dictatorship in our country..A patriotic Army general would rule the country making judgements for its benefit rather than vying for votes. Infact I also see Raul's words as a slight on BJP..more like "be wary of the RSS/BJP coalition coming to power..worse than LET"..

[CSK Fan]

In what capacity was Rahul Gandhi talking to the US envoy? He is not even an elected politician! BTW, there are other leaks being discussed now BJP lobbied with the US and agreeed to get the nuclear deal passed in the parliament US has spies in the Delhi police who give them inside information which allows them to use it as a negotiating point So no party is clean!

[The Outsider]

What Rahul Gandhi is saying is that more than the external terrorists - LeT, Pakistan - the problem which the country might face is the backlash of Hindu extremists towards local Muslims rather than these external terror groups, who are the root cause. Don't see what's wrong with that.

[yoda]

In what capacity was Rahul Gandhi talking to the US envoy? He is not even an elected politician!

I thought he is an MP.

[yoda]

What Rahul Gandhi is saying is that more than the external terrorists - LeT, Pakistan - the problem which the country might face is the backlash of Hindu extremists towards local Muslims rather than these external terror groups, who are the root cause. Don't see what's wrong with that.

That's like saying Repubs hate for the general Muslims in the US post 9/11 is a greater threat than AQ themselves. Unwanted problem may be, but to claim that those who are may be more outraged than the general population as more dangerous than the terrorists themselves is utterly absurd. If the terrorism is controlled, there isn't going to be any hatred or outrage, so which one should you be more concerned about? And there has been no evidence of any Hindu outfit going crazy after Muslims in general after every terrorist attack which has originated from Pak. It is only when local Muslim groups have initiated the attacks have the response been towards the local Muslims, namely Mumabi 93 and Godhra.

[The Outsider]

^ If the Republican hate transpired into targeted riots and killing of general Muslims, it will become a greater problem than Al Qaida itself. Specially, putting it into the Indian context if Hindu extremists start targeting and killing local Muslims for attacks by LeT, it can lead to greater and far more widespread problems than the terrorists attack themselves. I am not saying it has happened and neither is Rahul Gandhi. He is identifying an issue which could become a far greater flash point than the terrorist attacks themselves. He clearly uses terms like 'risk', 'growing concern', clearly implying that it might not be a major problem today, but has the potential to develop into something serious.

[kabira]

What Rahul Gandhi is saying is that more than the external terrorists - LeT, Pakistan - the problem which the country might face is the backlash of Hindu extremists towards local Muslims rather than these external terror groups, who are the root cause. Don't see what's wrong with that.

Is that really happeninng?? I am disturbed by your comments really.

[The Outsider]

Is that really happeninng?? I am disturbed by your comments really.

Please read my post above, before getting yourself so 'disturbed'. In a nutshell, it is a legitimate potential issue, with the possibility of causing greater damage to India than external terror attacks.