Bharat Summit visa row: Rahul Gandhi apologises to absent delegates, reminds 'gives sense of what we deal with'

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor had criticised the Centre, alleging that 115 of the 315 speakers cleared by the ministry of external affairs (MEA) for the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad were denied entry to India

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, apologised to foreign delegates who could not attend the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad, blaming the Centre for their absence.

"They were not allowed by Govt of India; gives sense of what we deal with," Rahul was quoted as saying by PTI.

He accused fascists of dominating political discourse over the past decade and alleged that democracy had been destroyed in India in 2014.

"For the last decade, fascists have been shouting and screaming, while people have watched in confusion and shock. In 2014, we witnessed a completely new kind of election, with millions of dollars injected into the political system, an unprecedented campaign and political drama. An electoral system accustomed to close contests and coalitions was suddenly overturned. The Opposition was in shock, not for a year or two, but for an entire decade. This led to a crisis in Indian politics, as we began questioning ourselves, our party and our ideology. Gradually, we discovered what was happening and have proven beyond doubt that democracy was destroyed in India in 2014."

"The world can be divided into two types of people. A small minority wakes up in the morning convinced that they know everything and have answers to everything. The vast majority are curious, ask questions, listens and sometimes realise that they were wrong or made a mistake."

He said such certainty extended across professions, including politics.

"You find the first type everywhere, including at the head of businesses and in academics. They are convinced that they know it all. In politics, we call them fascists. Fascists tend to scream and shout, they do not listen. The majority listens, pays attention and is humble."

Rahul argued that fascists gain ground when established systems break down.

"Historically, fascists emerge when systems and structures collapse. When everything is working, they hide, but when systems collapse, they suddenly emerge, create a nuisance for a while and then disappear again."

115 MEA-cleared Bharat Summit speakers 'refused entry to India': Shashi Tharoor

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday criticised the Centre, alleging that 115 of the 315 speakers cleared by the ministry of external affairs (MEA) for the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad were denied entry to India or had their visas cancelled, "apparently on the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs".

Tharoor questioned the legal provisions under which the government made the decision, saying it was impossible to reverse the move as the conference was due to conclude the next day.

In a post on X, he said, "A disappointing footnote to the Bharat Summit proceedings: when I got to Hyderabad, I learned that 115 of the 315 speakers whom the External Affairs Ministry had cleared for the event ended up being refused entry to India or having their visas cancelled, apparently on the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs."

"It is completely unclear under what provision of law the government has taken such a drastic step, but it is obviously impossible to reverse it since the conference concludes tomorrow," Tharoor wrote on social media. "What a shame that a proud democracy has become so insecure that it must stifle any voices it fears will be critical!"

The Bharat Summit, organised by the Congress-led Telangana government, brought together politicians, think tanks, business people, journalists and researchers from across the world who are known to espouse progressive or liberal views.

Almost all the political functionaries are from the Socialist International and the Progressive Alliance -- global centre-left political international organisations -- of which the Congress is a member. The Congress is a founding member of the alliance.

MEA on Bharat Summit row over foreign speakers

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said visa matters are "sovereign functions" of any government amid reports of foreign speakers being denied entry to a political event in Hyderabad.

"Visa matters are sovereign functions of any country or any government. So that is what I have to say," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his regular media briefing.