When a journalist close to Nehru-Indira advises Rahul Gandhi against his anti-India tirade

New Delhi: Political leaders giving interviews in a controlled environment to friendly media, which is defined by ‘godi media’ in India, is not new but it was on full display at a press event organised by the Indian Journalists Association (IJA) of London for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

When Gandhi was confronted by a London-based journalist Suresh Gupta, who claimed to be close to Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, on Saturday over his anti-India tirade from foreign soil, IJA president and interviewer Danish Khan came to the rescue.

Khan was even heard cheering when Gandhi asked Gupta if he has seen his Cambridge lecture.

“Yeah… good,” said Khan when Gandhi countered Gupta.

Towards the end of the question and answer session with the press, Gupta introduced himself as a journalist who is settled in London since 1961 and working for the New World newspaper.

Gupta said, “I knew your grandmother Mrs Indira Gandhi since the time I was working for All India Radio between 1958-61. And then your great grandfather Pandit Nehru through Bharat Lok Samaj.”

When Gandhi quipped if he met Nehru, Gupta said, “Yes. When I used to go to Trimurti House to get signatures.”

Talking about his experience, Gupta said, “Pandit Nehru was a great man. I always touched his feet and he would bless me.”

“Mrs Gandhi, your grandmother, was like an elder sister to me. She helped me a great deal and she was a wonderful woman,” Gupta added.

Recalling one of Indira Gandhi’s visits to London, Gupta narrated, “When she came here in a press conference in London after being imprisoned by Morarji Desai, a journalist asked her – what is your experience of prison in India? And she said I don’t want to talk anything bad about India at this conference.”

“Now, you are being constantly attacked in the Indian media for your Cambridge lecture. I hope that you will take some lessons from what Mrs Indira Gandhi said because I am your well-wisher and I like to see you become the Prime Minister of India,” Gupta said.

On this embarrassing remark, Gupta was interrupted by Khan who asked, “What’s is your question?”

Even before Gupta could reply, Gandhi jumped in and said there is no question.

However, Gupta asked if Gandhi thinks Modi has done anything good at all for India in nine years.

Gandhi appeared dismissive and reiterated that the death of democracy is above anything for him.

Also Read: Is Rahul hurting Congress and leaving party leaders in a quandary with his utterances 

“To touch on the first part of your question, have you actually seen my Cambridge lecture?” Gandhi countered.

On this, Khan cheered “yeah, good.”

Both Gandhi and Khan took a sigh of relief when Gupta answered no, he has not seen but heard of it.

“That’s interesting. You haven’t seen it but you have an opinion on it,” Gandhi said.

To this, Khan applauded Gandhi saying that’s a good point. “If you have to make any opinion, then make an informed opinion,” Khan said.

While all this appeared staged on the face, Khan, on the contrary, ended the session with a huge pat on the back to Gandhi for taking questions sportingly terming this interview rare in today’s time.