E-Paper
Rahul Gandhi's fiery attack in Lok Sabha: ‘Hinduism not about spreading hatred’
Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led government during a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address.
The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing critique of the Narendra Modi-led government over what he described as a decade-long systematic attack on the Constitution and the foundational idea of India by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"I am feeling good that BJP leaders are uttering the word 'Constitution' every 2-3 minutes," Gandhi noted, with a hint of irony. “For the last 10 years, there has been a systematic attack on the Constitution, on the idea of India, and on anybody who resisted the ideas being proposed by the BJP, who resisted the dilution of the Constitution.”
"Many of us were personally attacked. In fact, some of our leaders are still in jail. Not only the opposition, who resisted the idea of concentration of power, of concentration of wealth, of oppression of the poor, Dalits, minorities, and tribals were crushed. People were put in jail, people were threatened, and I myself was attacked by order of the Government of India, by order obviously of the Prime Minister of India," he added.
Follow LIVE updates on Lok Sabha session
During his address, Gandhi displayed a poster of Lord Shiva, which prompted an immediate intervention from Speaker Om Birla.
"Rules don't allow the display of placards," Birla said, urging Gandhi to adhere to parliamentary protocols.
Gandhi continued,“Hinduism is not about spreading fear, hatred, and falsehoods.”
“All our great men have spoken about non-violence...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth…Aap Hindu ho hi nahi,” he added, pointing to the treasury benches.
Read: Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha over 'Hindu' remark; Amit Shah demands apology
Rahul Gandhi's remarks triggered a huge ruckus in the House, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that calling the entire Hindu society violent is a serious matter.
Gandhi, however, retorted that he was speaking about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or Modi are not the entire Hindu society, he added.
The Congress leader further stressed that all religions talk about courage, citing Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism to underline the importance of fearlessness.
Gandhi also expressed his contentment at being in the opposition.
"I am happy and proud to be in the opposition. For us, there is something more than power, it is the truth," he said.
Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of creating an environment of fear not only among citizens of the country but also within the BJP.
