There Will Be Fair Probe into Wrestlers’ Complaints, No One Is Trying to Save Anyone: Anurag Thakur to News18

As the Narendra Modi government completes nine years, CNN-News18 talks to Union ministers about what they think about the current political climate, the Centre’s plans and the upcoming general elections. Speaking on these issues, Sports, Youth Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying the new Parliament building is a distraction from the Centre’s failures.

Enumerating various achievements of the government, Thakur said that it is a known fact that India is the fastest growing economy, GST and tax collection is at its peak, India has become the fifth largest economy from tenth position. “All this cannot be denied. Rahul Gandhi can say whatever he wants, but facts speak,” he told CNN-News18. “Going outside India and talking against our democracy is anti-India”. … They did it in Britain and are doing it in America. Organizing and sponsoring these events?”

row over new parliament

The minister also hit out at the opposition over the ‘democracy in danger’ controversy. “He did not blame EVMs when he won elections in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. , Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Gujarat were eliminated, so there is a fault in the EVM.’ ‘Rahul Gandhi should speak the truth. He lost his Lok Sabha membership after being convicted in one case and serving a two-year sentence. They kept looking for excuses for not running the Parliament. A new parliament building has been built. Now they find new excuses to boycott it. Every Indian is proud of the new Parliament.”

name calling

Thakur also targeted Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and other party leaders for making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. For the first time after 1984, PM Modi formed governments not once but twice with absolute majority. And at that time there was a wave of sympathy for the assassination of Indira Gandhi. Congress only made promises like ‘garibi hatao’ but did not fulfill them…they go abroad, tell lies and spread propaganda against the country. Who attends these events? Those who raise slogans of Khalistan Zindabad insult the national anthem. And Rahul Gandhi is standing there like a mute spectator.

The minister also pointed out that Rahul had said in an American program that injustice was done to Dalits in India in the 1980s. He also mentioned India and Uttar Pradesh. At that time there was a Congress government at the Center under the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi. And there was a Congress government in UP as well.”

tour of america

Thakur also said that Rahul Gandhi’s statements in the US would not have any impact on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming state visit, but would only tarnish his own image. The minister said the PM will meet top industry and government leaders, including President Joe Biden, who has said he looks forward to hosting her at the state dinner and that tickets for the event are running out. He also said that world leaders have been appreciative of the Prime Minister and his leadership.

Thakur said that the Congress was doing minority appeasement. “To win in Wayanad, they can call Muslim League secular and Hindus terrorists,” he said.

wrestlers protest

Speaking about the wrestlers’ protest, he said that PM Modi has always encouraged sports and supported sportspersons. “This particular issue is serious… A committee is looking into it… Delhi Police is probing and will soon file a charge sheet.”

The Sports Minister also promised that there would be a fair probe. “Nobody is trying to save anybody here,” he said.