New Delhi: A heated debate erupted in the Lok Sabha on Monday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress locked horns over remarks made by Rahul Gandhi concerning the Hindu community. The controversy led to interventions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who demanded an apology from the Congress leader.
The controversy flared as Rahul, the opposition leader going against the rule, began showing religious posters starting from almighty Shiv Ji’s photo.
Rahul frequently referenced God Shiva, asserting “darao mat (don’t scare people).” He stated, “Observing God Shiva’s image, one would realise that Hindus do not propagate fear or hatred, unlike the BJP, which does so constantly,” Rahul Gandhi remarked. He charged the BJP with intimidating minorities and inciting hatred and violence against Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians. The Congress leader stressed that all religions advocate bravery, mentioning Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism to highlight the significance of being fearless.
PM Modi, in a rare interjection, criticised Gandhi’s comments, stating, “Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter.” He added that democracy and the Constitution have taught him to take the Leader of Opposition seriously.
Rahul Gandhi, however, quickly retorted, “BJP and Modi are not the entire Hindu society.” He emphasized that neither the BJP, RSS, nor Prime Minister Modi represent the entirety of Hindu society.
Home Minister Amit Shah reacting strongly, said that connecting violence with any religion is wrong. “The Leader of Opposition has categorically said that those who call themselves Hindu talk of violence and do violence. He doesn’t know that crores of people proudly call themselves Hindu,” Shah stated, demanding an apology from Gandhi.
Shah also brought up historical events such as the Emergency and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to challenge Gandhi’s right to speak about non-violence.
BJP members took strong objection to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in the Lok Sabha.
