Rahul Gandhi has increasingly shown a willingness to go where politicians traditionally fear to tread—speaking his mind even at the risk of controversy. He does not unravel in the face of criticism; he retains his sangfroid and frames his response with reasoned conviction. His decision to back Indian Youth Congress members, who staged a protest at a high-profile AI venue in New Delhi last month against India’s deal with the United States, may have angered many leaders even in the Opposition, but by describing the young protesters as “babbar shers”, he did not merely endorse their dissent; he validated it.

For the ruling establishment led by Narendra Modi, this posture is more than routine opposition politics. It is an irritant that refuses to fade. The BJP has long sought to pigeonhole Rahul Gandhi through reductive stereotyping, portraying him as inconsistent and politically immature. Yet, what once appeared as hesitation now looks increasingly like stubborn conviction. In publicly accusing the Prime Minister of being “compromised” over the tariff deal with the United States, Rahul signalled that he would not dilute his critique for the sake of diplomatic politeness or political convenience.

The........

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