Rahul Gandhi in UAE: My beloved country is being divided, witnessing over four years of 'intolerance'

Dubai: Rahul Gandhi, the President of the Indian National Congress on Friday praised the UAE for declaring 2019 as the 'Year of Tolerance', saying India on the other hand has been witnessing four-and-a-half years of "intolerance". In a veiled attack on the BJP rule at the Centre, Rahul said "at here (in the UAE), it is the 'Year of Tolerance', but back home (in India), we have been witnessing intolerance for the last four-and-a-half years." Gandhi, who is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) along with senior leader Sam Pitroda, said that he met Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during which the Congress president assured him that he was committed to an even stronger bilateral ties. While addressing the Indian diaspora at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, he said the Indian workers in the UAE have given their sweat, blood and time for the development of this city and have made Indians of all backgrounds proud. "My beloved country is being divided for political reasons and benefits. It is being divided in different religions, communities, the rich and poor.” he said He further added, "once again, we have to bring India together regardless of ideologies and thinking. Once again we have to bring India together, its people, religions and casts," Taking a jibe at the BJP's 'Congress-mukt Bharat slogan, he said "we don't need a 'BJP-mukt Bharat'. We want an India where every citizen says he is an Indian first and then the rest". "Drawing an analogy between cricket and India, Gandhi said can a divided cricket team win a match? then how can a divided country be successful," he said at the stadium. The stadium was filled up with tens of thousands of people from several states across India. A cultural show marked the start of the event. (agency inputs)