Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi leaves after attending the ongoing Parliament session, in New Delhi on July 1. (Image: PTI/Kamal Kishore)
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s comments on religion and the criticism of the Agnipath scheme for the armed forces drew massive protests from the treasury benches and were later expunged from record
There was uproar in the Lok Sabha over Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s speech on Monday, during which he launched a no-holds-barred attack on the BJP saying the leaders of the ruling party are not Hindus as they engage in “violence and hate” round the clock. He went on to criticise the central government’s Agnipath scheme for the armed forces and alleged discrimination in paying compensation and pension to Agniveers. All of these parts, which drew massive protests from the treasury benches, were later expunged from record.
In a rare occurrence, this led Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister to interrupt Gandhi while defence minister Rajnath Singh also intervened mid-speech in retaliation to the comments about Agniveers.
On Gandhi’s ‘not Hindus’ comment, the prime minister accused the Congress MP of calling the entire Hindu community violent. “It is a great crime to call all Hindus violent. ‘Hindu samaaj ko hinsak kehna galat hai’,” he said. But, Gandhi cited the teachings of other religions to say his message is about fearlessness and non-violence.
Up on his feet by then, Shah also interrupted the Congress leader’s speech and sought his apology to the House and the country for hurting the feelings of crores who take pride in identifying as Hindus.
Gandhi also accused the BJP of launching systematic attacks on the Constitution and the fundamental idea of India. “I was attacked on the orders of Prime Minister Modi. There were 20-plus cases (against me), (my) house was taken away, 55 hours of interrogation by the ED,” Gandhi said, adding that despite these challenges, he feels proud of the collective effort to protect the Constitution.
“It feels nice that BJP people are now repeating ‘Jai Samvidhan’ after me,” he said. “I am happy and proud to be in the opposition. For us, there is something more than power, it is the truth.”
Rajnath vs Rahul on Agnipath scheme
Rajnath Singh and BJP leader Nishikant Dubey countered Gandhi on his comments about the Agnipath scheme saying he must provide evidence for the allegations he is making. “He (Rahul Gandhi) should not try to mislead the House by making wrong statements. Financial assistance of Rs 1 crore is given to the family of the Agniveer who sacrifices their life while protecting our borders or during war,” the defence minister said.
Singh also demanded that Gandhi’s statements about the armed forces scheme must be expunged. He said many countries across the world have a scheme such as Agnipath. “…and we have brought this scheme after much consideration and consultation. Rahul Gandhi cannot mislead the House,” he added.
Gandhi also spoke about the now-revoked farm laws. “The government brought farm laws and told the farmers it will be in their benefit, but to date, the farmers are protesting. But, the laws were brought to benefit big industrialists. You have called them (farmers) terrorists, but you have not agreed to talk to them or embrace them,” he said.
To this, Shah said: “Understand, this is the first speech by Rahul Gandhi. But, he is making a statement which we have never made.” Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also countered Gandhi, saying this government was giving MSP when the Congress was there, but nobody was giving a guarantee of purchase either.
(With PTI inputs)