Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during an event at EIA University in Colombia, expressed grave concerns over the state of democracy in India. He described the ongoing challenges as a "major risk" to the nation's democratic fabric. Gandhi emphasized that India's strength lies in its diversity, encompassing various traditions, religions, and languages. He argued that the democratic system is essential for accommodating this diversity and fostering a harmonious society. However, he cautioned that the current environment poses a significant threat to this democratic structure.

Further criticizing the ruling BJP and its ideological affiliate RSS, Gandhi accused them of embodying "cowardice" in their approach. He referenced a statement by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, highlighting the government's reluctance to confront more powerful nations like China. Gandhi also cited an incident from Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's writings, where he and his associates allegedly took pride in assaulting a Muslim individual, labeling such behavior as cowardly.