BJP questions Rajiv Gandhi Foundation’s past connection with ‘Soros-linked’ entity

Through a series of posts on social media platform X, the BJP asked if the RGF, chaired by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, was using ‘foreign funds to push anti-national agendas’

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday (December 15, 2024) alleged that the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), “a key vehicle for the Congress party”, had in 2007-08 partnered with the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), an organisation that purportedly received substantial funding from George Soros’s Open Society Institute.

Through a series of posts on social media platform X, the BJP asked if the RGF was using “foreign funds to push anti-national agendas?” The foundation is chaired by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

“Well, in 2007-08, RGF partnered with the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), an organisation that received substantial funding from George Soros’ Open Society Institute. Why would a foundation linked to a major Indian political party tie up with a foreign organisation with such dubious connections?” the BJP said.

“HRLN, which has deep links to Soros and his organisations, hasn’t exactly been neutral when it comes to India’s laws. From campaigning against sedition laws to providing legal aid to illegal Rohingya migrants, HRLN’s activities have often undermined India’s sovereignty. How can the Congress tie up with such organisations that have consistently sought to undermine India’s sovereignty and national security? What were the true intentions of the tie-up between RGF and HRLN?” the BJP added.

The party alleged that in 2018-19, RGF had teamed up with the Aman Biradari Trust (ABT), founded by “none other than another Soros ally Harsh Mander”. “Mander, who was involved in drafting the anti-Hindu Communal Violence Bill as a member of Sonia Gandhi’s National Advisory Council, is yet another link in a troubling chain of foreign influence. What does this say about the Congress party’s true priorities?” the saffron party alleged.

“The RGF wasn’t just funded by foreign entities - it also received taxpayers’ money under the Congress government in 1991, when Manmohan Singh was the Finance Minister. Should taxpayers be funding a foundation that advances foreign-backed agendas, undermining India’s sovereignty?” the BJP said in another post.

“...RGF also accepted donations from the Chinese government. How can any political party, claiming to care for India’s security, take funds from a nation that poses a direct threat to our sovereignty? While India’s borders were under threat, Congress, through RGF, was willing to accept money from those very same forces. What does this say about how compromised the Congress is? It seems that one has to be anti-India to work with the Congress party!” it alleged.

“The Congress party, under the Nehru-Gandhi family, has repeatedly shown that it is willing to do anything, including undermining India’s security, sovereignty, and national interests for the sake of power. Whether it’s the surgical strikes, Balakot, or the Galwan Valley clash, one thing is clear: Congress party’s priorities have always been survival at any cost. But at what cost to the nation?” the BJP further alleged.

Published - December 15, 2024 06:47 pm IST