Lok Sabha highlights: BJP vs Congress over Rahul Gandhi's ‘Hindu’ remark

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Coming out in support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on the Hindu community, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha said on Monday that the debate gets heated sometimes in parliament but what Rahul Gandhi said should be understood by everyone that no one has the contract of the Hindu religion.

"This should not be called an attack. There is a debate going on in the parliament as well. The debate will get heated sometimes, this is an ideological debate and what he (Rahul Gandhi) said should be understood by everyone. Nobody has the contract of the Hindu religion. 'Dharam ki thekedari' goes on in politics and he has taken a very good initiative on this, which should be welcomed," Manoj Jha said.

The Samajwadi Party workers and supporters celebrated the 51st birthday of party chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav in a unique style, by planting saplings named 'PDA' (Pichhadha, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) and distributing sweets among poor people.

The 'PDA' acronym was coined by Akhilesh, which stands for a rainbow coalition of "Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak," the group his party says works for their uplift.

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates Congress leader Pawan Khera on Monday launched a scathing attack on the BJP and claimed that the party ran its business for the last 10 years by spreading lies on WhatsApp, editing the videos of Rahul Gandhi and making baseless comments about him.

"Rahul Gandhi gave a strong speech in Parliament today, which showed the truth about the country. In his speech, we heard about India's pride and tradition, and the dignity of democracy. I want to thank Rahul Gandhi for breaking a special person's ego," says Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi.

PTI

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: Revolutionary Socialist Party MP NK Premchandran says, "...everyone knows that what he (Rahul Gandhi) has said in the debate is that the BJP and the RSS are not following Hindu ethics and Hindu customs and traditions because the Hindu philosophy is the philosophy of non-violence, intolerance and all these things. But the BJP and the RSS are not following the path of Hinduism. This was his observation. How can this be authenticated? And besides this, you have to see that six cabinet ministers, including the Prime Minister, have intervened during Rahul Gandhi's speech during the debate... This means that they are very afraid of Rahul Gandhi's speech..."

ANI

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday named a panel of chairpersons to help him run the House proceedings.

Birla named Jagdambika Pal, P C Mohan, Sandhya Rai, Dilip Saikia, Selja, A Raja, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Krishna Prasad and Avdhesh Prasad on the panel.

Members of the panel of chairpersons preside over the House proceedings when the Speaker is not in the Chair. They enjoy all powers vested in the Speaker.

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: The CPI(M) on Monday said the struggle to protect the Constitution, secular democracy, federalism and civil liberties will have to be intensified, and the the Left party will undertake the task.

In a statement issued after a meeting of its central committee held here from June 28 to June 30, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said the results of the recently-held Lok Sabha polls were a significant setback for the ruling BJP.

It said the people of the country, asserting their will to protect the Constitution and the secular democratic character of India, and expressing deep concerns over the sharply-declining livelihood conditions, have ensured that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not get a majority, unlike in the last two Lok Sabha polls.

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi must apologise for his remarks in the Lok Sabha that leaders of the BJP are not Hindus as they engage in "violence and hate" round the clock. The MP CM further said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge must clarify if his party agrees with Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lower House of Parliament.

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar slammed Rahul Gandhi over his “Hindus” remark, saying, “This is now the Leader of Opposition. Who attacks Hindus while professing brotherhood to all. Who disparages the Indian Army’s bravery, while expressing concern for their welfare. Who tears up Cabinet decisions, while preaching respect for Constitution. Welcome to the politics of the Congress Party.”

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Kiren Rijiju on Monday accused Rahul Gandhi of denigrating the responsible position of the Leader of Opposition with his "extremely irresponsible" speech in the Lok Sabha.

They also accused the Gandhi of inflicting "grave insult" on the Hindus by allegedly linking them with violence and spreading untruth.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11:00am Tuesday. Lok Sabha proceedings for the day has been extended till 10:00pm.

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: Rahul Gandhi inflicted grave insult on Hindus; P Chidambaram, Sushil Shinde as home ministers had referred to ‘Hindu terror’, says BJP minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament, BJP MP Arun Govil says, "He shouldn't have said what he said today... He should apologise to all Hindus... He tried to create drama today but he does not know how to do that. For drama, understanding the content is important. He has not grown up. He is still immature... It is extremely disturbing to see such a Leader of Opposition."

ANI

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: RJD MP Misa Bharti says, "He (Rahul Gandhi) said for all religions and not just Hinduism...He (Rahul Gandhi) didn't say Hindus spread hate, he said BJP spreads hate...Why do they talk about something which happened around 50 years ago...Why do they don't discuss their 10 years...They are not ready to have a discussion on the NEET issue..."

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: BJP leader CR Kesavan says, "Rahul Gandhi today has demeaned the dignity of a sacred parliament and sullied the dignity of our Lok Sabha. Rahul Gandhi in his first speech as LoP wasted no time in peddling perilous politics of hate and he opened his 'Nafrat ki Dukan' right there in the Lok Sabha today. He has insulted the faith and the sentiments of millions of Hindus today by frontally attacking them. Is this a way any responsible LoP conducts himself? When he spoke today by saying that all the people who call themselves Hindus are violent and untrue, it reveals the bigoted and parochial mindset of Rahul Gandhi. These are just not reprehensible and shameful, but is also dangerous..."

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: "My brother will never insult the Hindus and he clearly spoke about the BJP and its leaders," says Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Rahul Gandhi's 'Hindu' remark in Parliament.

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said, "Rahul Gandhi did not say anything against Hindus. He said that BJP members call themselves Hindus but do not follow Hinduism. We are all Hindus who follow the teachings of Lord Shiva, while BJP members engage in violence and spread hatred. This is what he was addressing."

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: TMC MP Mahua Moitra says, "Last time I stood here, I was silenced. But the ruling party paid a heavy price for stifling one MP. In trying to suppress me, the public ensured 63 of your members will sit permanently."

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: "Opposition not your enemy, we are here to make your work easier," says LoP Rahul Gandhi to members of treasury benches in Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: "NEET is not a professional exam; it's a commercial one designed to favour rich students," says LoP Rahul Gandhi.

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: Home minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi to the House and the country for “hurting the feelings of millions who identify as Hindus”.

Shah referenced the Emergency and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to counter Gandhi, arguing that he has no right to speak about non-violence when the Congress had spread "terror" in the country.

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: Agnipath scheme is brainchild of PM Modi not of armed forces, says LoP Rahul Gandhi.

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: Politics, policies of BJP have burnt down Manipur, pushed it into civil war; still PM Modi yet to visit state, says LoP Rahul Gandhi

Lok Sabha LIVE Updates: LoP Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Modi for not visiting unrest-ridden Manipur, says BJP's politics burning Manipur.