The Indian National Congress seems to be on a relentless spree of making a black spot in the hearts of many by targeting public figures one after another without any valid reason. After attempting to malign Bollywood actress Preity Zinta and body-shaming Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, Congress has now set its sights on Kannada actress Rashmika Mandanna. This pattern of unjustified attacks highlights how the grand old party and its ecosystem have perfected the art of alienating ordinary citizens, celebrities, and even sports icons.
Recently, Congress MLA Ravikumar Gowda Ganiga came after Rashmika Mandanna with a red face for not attending the International Film Festival in Karnataka. Rather than respecting her personal decisions, the Congress leader took offense and even suggested that she should be “taught a lesson” for missing the event. His remarks underscore the party’s increasing inclination to impose its will on artists and celebrities, while vilifying them for asserting their independence.
This attack on Rashmika Mandanna comes close on the heels of the party’s disgraceful attempt to spread fake news about Preity Zinta. The Kerala Congress unit brazenly accused the Bollywood actress of securing an INR 18-crore loan waiver in exchange for handing over her social media accounts to the BJP. Without any factual basis, Congress labeled her a pliable BJP supporter, aiming to tarnish her credibility. However,Preity Zinta swiftly debunked the baseless claims, calling out the Congress for spreading misinformation. She emphatically clarified that her loan had been repaid in full over a decade ago and condemned the party for resorting to cheap smear tactics.
If attacking an actress with blatant lies wasn’t enough, Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed walked down the path body-shaming Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma. She called him “fat for a sportsperson” and even questioned his leadership abilities. Despite public outrage, Shama Mohamed remained unapologetic, trying to justify her unwarranted remarks. The Congress, in a desperate attempt to save face, distanced itself from her comments, but the damage was already done. The party had yet again alienated millions of cricket fans while displaying its condescending attitude toward one of India’s greatest sports icons.
The Congress’s repeated assaults on well-known personalities reveal its growing frustration and desperation for relevance. Instead of focusing on governance and meaningful political discourse, the party continues to indulge in unnecessary controversies. It is clear that the Congress has developed a habit of targeting anyone who does not conform to its narrow ideological framework. Whether it is actors, sportspersons, or ordinary citizens, the party and its cronies are quick to brand them as “BJP stooges” the moment they refuse to toe the Congress line. This intolerance and arrogance are precisely why the Congress is facing a decline in public support.
With its continued targeting of national icons, the Congress is only ensuring that more people reject its toxic politics. From Preity Zinta to Rohit Sharma and now Rashmika Mandanna, the party’s actions expose its deep-seated insecurity and its tendency to silence independent voices. If the Congress does not mend its ways, it will continue to push more and more people away.The Indian National Congress is known for its totalitarian stands when in power which is quite visible in the Rashmika Mandanna controversy too.
