Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, explored the intersection of Hindu spirituality and political leadership during a recent event at the University of Texas in Dallas.
The discussion, held on Friday, was part of Gandhi's three-day outreach mission to the United States, aimed at strengthening Indo-American ties.
Gandhi delved into the concept of 'Devta' (deity) to elucidate the importance of transparency in leadership.
“Devta means a person whose internal feelings are exactly the same as his external expression, meaning he is a completely transparent being,” Gandhi explained. “If a person tells me everything he believes or thinks and expresses it openly, that’s the definition of a Devta.”
Drawing from Indian historical and mythological figures, Gandhi contrasted their introspective approach with the typical focus on external challenges.
He cited figures such as Gautam Buddha, Lord Ram, and Mahatma Gandhi, highlighting their self-reflection and suppression of personal ambitions for a broader understanding of others.
“To me, that's Indian politics—that's the heart of Indian politics, and that's what defines an Indian leader,” Gandhi stated.
Reflecting on his own journey, Gandhi recounted his transformative experience during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
He described the gruelling 4,000-kilometre march across India as a personal ordeal, likening it to “an attack on myself.”
Despite initial doubts and a knee problem, Gandhi persevered, drawing laughter from the audience with his remark, “For the first 3-4 days, I thought, ‘What have I done?’”
Gandhi’s Yatra, he said, fostered a new way of thinking and deeper connections with people. He likened the experience to the concept of Lord Shiva, who destroys his ego to gain a new perspective.
“You know the idea of Shiva—when they say Shiva is the destroyer—what is he destroying? Himself. He’s destroying his ego, his structure, his beliefs. So, Indian political thought and action are all about going inward,” Gandhi remarked.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi argued, introduced a novel concept in Indian politics, love.
“We introduced, certainly for the first time in India, possibly for the first time in many countries, the idea of ‘love’ in politics,” he said, reflecting on how this shift has altered his view on political communication and engagement.
During his visit to the US from September 8-10, Gandhi is scheduled to participate in various discussions at Georgetown University and meet with US Congress members. S
am Pitroda, chairperson of the Indian Overseas Congress, clarified that Gandhi’s visit is for personal interactions rather than official duties.
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