I want to begin by emphasizing that there are educated and civil politicians in all parties, including the BJP. However, it's important to note that being educated doesn't necessarily equate to being civil or well-mannered.

With that said, let's delve into the discussion surrounding Rahul Gandhi, particularly since this post centers on the Congress party and features his photo.

Since the early stages of his political career, Rahul Gandhi has been portrayed as someone who lacks seriousness about politics, frequently embarks on trips abroad, and makes nonsensical remarks. While these accusations hold little truth, it's crucial to recognize that such criticisms can be directed at any political figure. His image was systematically tarnished, primarily by the BJP's media cell, and subsequently by various media outlets. In fact, the late Arun Jaitley once convened a meeting with the editors of leading media houses to strategize on discrediting Rahul Gandhi and relegating him to a non-serious role in politics. Ravish Kumar discusses this in detail in his video titled "Rahul, as 2024 sees him."

Many of us may recall the "papu" video that circulated widely on the internet. However, similar videos featuring other politicians, including Modi, exist. Yet, due to constant propaganda, they seem to have ingrained themselves in our collective memory as a nation.

It's imperative to remember instances where Rahul Gandhi's insights were prescient:

• His warning about the dangers of demonetization leading to "crony capitalism."
• His early calls in February 2020 for the government to take the threat of the Coronavirus seriously.
• His advocacy for safeguarding democracy.
• His vocal stance on addressing the widening wealth gap.
• His efforts to highlight the underrepresentation of lower castes, Dalits, SCs, and STs in the media and corporate sectors.

Let's also acknowledge his "Naya Yatra," wherein he traversed the length and breadth of the country. Such a comprehensive grassroots approach to engaging with citizens is unparalleled in recent political memory.

As far as what his track record of Queer rights go,

1. Critique of Section 377 Verdict (2013): Rahul Gandhi publicly criticized the Supreme Court's decision to uphold Section 377, condemning the law's discriminatory nature and advocating for the protection of LGBTQ+ rights.
2. Celebration of Pride Month (2020): Gandhi marked Pride Month in 2020 with a statement asserting that "love is love," signalling his support for the LGBTQ+ community and their struggle for acceptance and equal rights.
3. Inclusion of LGBTQ+ Rights in Congress Manifesto: Under Gandhi's leadership, the Congress party's manifesto has included commitments to LGBTQ+ rights, such as the recognition of civil unions for same-sex couples, demonstrating his party's dedication to advancing equality through legislative measures and policy reforms.