Rahul Gandhi criticized for using banned Chinese drone.
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New Delhi: Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi has found himself at the center of a fierce debate after using a banned Chinese drone in a video posted on a popular social media platform, where he criticized India’s drone industry. The incident has drawn strong reactions from industry experts, leaders, and political figures alike, with many accusing him of hypocrisy and misleading the public.
The drone in question, a DJI model, was used by Gandhi in a video to highlight India’s supposed shortcomings in the drone manufacturing sector. While the Congress leader’s video aimed to emphasize the need for India to strengthen its domestic drone industry, it backfired when it became evident that he had used a drone made by DJI Technology Company Limited, a Chinese company based in Shenzhen, Guangdong. DJI drones have been banned in India since 2022 due to security concerns, making the situation even more contentious.
Smit Shah, the President of the Drone Federation of India (DFI), was quick to respond to Gandhi’s remarks, condemning the Congress leader’s choice of a Chinese-made drone to criticize India’s growing drone sector. Shah called Gandhi’s actions “unfair and misleading,” arguing that by showcasing a banned foreign drone while dismissing India’s developing drone industry, Gandhi was undermining the hard work and progress made by domestic industry leaders.
In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Shah pointed out the irony of Gandhi’s actions, stressing that DJI drones have been banned in India for more than two years, yet the Congress leader was seen operating one. He questioned how Gandhi had come into possession of the banned drone and whether the proper legal clearances were obtained before its use. He also expressed concerns about the broader implications of Gandhi’s actions, urging him to offer more constructive solutions to the challenges faced by the Indian drone sector rather than simply making disparaging remarks.
Shah went on to highlight that India’s drone industry, although still developing, has been making substantial progress, with numerous startups, researchers, and policymakers working tirelessly to push the sector forward.
Additionally, Shah raised significant legal concerns about Gandhi’s use of the drone. He questioned whether the Congress leader had a valid Remote Pilot Certificate, a requirement under India’s Drone Rules 2021. Shah also asked if the drone was properly registered on DigitalSky, the platform mandated by the government for drone registration. Highlighting that Gandhi’s residence and office likely fall within a restricted zone, Shah asked whether he had obtained the necessary clearance from the relevant authorities before flying the drone. He emphasized that the same rules should apply to everyone, including high-profile public figures like Rahul Gandhi, and asked whether Gandhi had simply disregarded the regulations.
Other prominent figures also weighed in on the controversy. Mohandas Pai, a Padma Shri awardee and former CFO of Infosys, criticized Rahul Gandhi for using a Chinese drone while making statements about India’s lack of a strong production base for drones. Pai pointed out India’s impressive industrial growth in recent years, noting that the country is now a global leader in sectors such as steel, cement, automobiles, and mobile phone manufacturing. He highlighted that India is the 5th largest industrial manufacturing country globally, the 2nd largest steel producer, the 2nd largest cement producer, and the 3rd largest automobile producer. Pai also reminded the public that India’s manufacturing capabilities had grown significantly over the past decade, making the argument for a stronger Indian drone industry even more compelling.
Pai further criticized Gandhi for spreading “misleading narratives” that, according to him, undermine India’s progress. He accused the Congress leader of making statements that could discourage investment in the Indian drone sector and hinder its growth.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya also weighed in on the controversy, calling Gandhi’s video “brainless, misinformed, dated, and totally misleading.” Malviya’s criticism was not limited to Gandhi’s remarks; he also pointed out the irony of flaunting a Chinese-made drone, especially when Indian startups are developing and manufacturing their own advanced drones. Malviya urged the public to focus on the achievements of India’s burgeoning drone ecosystem and to support the homegrown solutions being developed by Indian companies.
In the video posted by Rahul Gandhi, he argued that India lacks a strong production base for drones and needs a clear strategy to build robust industries, create jobs, and lead in the global market. He expressed his belief that India has immense talent and potential, but he lamented the absence of a comprehensive plan to harness these resources and establish the country as a global leader in drone manufacturing.
The controversy surrounding Gandhi’s use of a Chinese drone has sparked a larger conversation about the state of India’s drone industry and the challenges it faces. While India’s drone sector has made significant strides in recent years, experts argue that it still faces numerous hurdles, including regulatory challenges, limited access to capital, and competition from established foreign players like DJI.
Despite these challenges, many in the Indian drone industry remain optimistic about the sector’s future and are calling for more government support and investment to help it reach its full potential.