Rahul Gandhi Warns of a “Pandemic of Greed,” Says Urban Decay Shows Total Collapse of Accountability

Delhi: Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday launched a sharp critique of governance in the country, warning that what he described as a “pandemic of greed” has deeply infected India’s cities and everyday life. He urged citizens to raise their voices and demand responsibility from those in power, cautioning that silence would only worsen the crisis.

In a post shared on social media platform X, Gandhi accompanied his remarks with a video highlighting severe civic neglect in a Delhi neighbourhood, where sewage overflow had flooded residential areas. Referring to the visuals, he said such scenes are no longer isolated incidents but a reflection of how ordinary citizens are being forced to live amid systemic failure.

Gandhi argued that daily life for common people has become increasingly unbearable due to the collapse of basic services and the absence of accountability. According to him, institutions meant to serve the public have instead aligned themselves with political power, creating a culture where officials congratulate each other while citizens suffer.

He warned that urban decay—manifested through overflowing drains, unsafe roads, and unchecked construction—has become the most frightening symbol of this deeper moral and administrative breakdown. Gandhi said society has slowly accepted this deterioration as routine, becoming indifferent to suffering that should otherwise provoke outrage.

Using the hashtag “TINA” (There Is No Accountability), the Congress leader stressed that unless people actively question the government and demand answers, the consequences of this neglect will reach every household. He described the current situation as one where silence and numbness have allowed decay to spread unchecked.

Gandhi’s remarks come close on the heels of a tragic incident in Noida that has sparked nationwide concern. Earlier this week, he referred to the death of a young software engineer as an example of how greed-driven development and disregard for human life have fatal consequences. The engineer reportedly died after his car fell into a water-filled pit near a construction site, where he remained trapped for hours without timely rescue.

According to Gandhi, such tragedies are not accidents but outcomes of a system that prioritises profit over safety and dignity. He reiterated that accountability—both political and administrative—is the only antidote to what he sees as a growing crisis affecting urban India.