Leader of Opposition and Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Rahul Gandhi made headlines on Monday with his fiery and impassioned speech launching a strong critique on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. In his first address as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi pulled no punches as he accused the ruling party of assaulting the very essence of India.
During the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in Lok Sabha, Gandhi boldly held up posters of religious figures, such as Lord Shiva, to illustrate his point. He lamented, “All our great men have advocated for non-violence and the eradication of fear…But those who claim to represent Hinduism (BJP) seem to only preach violence, hatred, and untruth…You are not true Hindus.”
Gandhi’s statements sparked a heated debate in the Lok Sabha, with prominent BJP leaders like PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah stepping in to denounce his accusations. Shah demanded an apology from Gandhi for suggesting that all Hindus are proponents of violence.
Refusing to back down, Gandhi reiterated his stance and challenged the BJP’s interpretation of Hinduism. “Hinduism is not synonymous with fear-mongering and falsehoods,” he declared, using images of Lord Shiva and Jesus Christ to emphasize his point.
“When you gaze upon the image of Lord Shiva, you see a representation of fearlessness and courage, qualities that are at odds with the fear and hatred perpetuated by the BJP 24/7,” Gandhi asserted.
Speaker Om Birla expressed disapproval of Gandhi’s use of religious imagery in Parliament, urging him to adhere to the rules and refrain from displaying such posters in the House.
Gandhi’s impassioned speech in the 18th Lok Sabha was triggered by the Speaker’s rejection of adjournment motions by Opposition members on the NEET-UG controversy. Despite facing resistance, Gandhi adamantly stood his ground on issues he deemed crucial for the nation.
Highlighting the alleged erosion of constitutional values, Gandhi revealed the personal toll of his political battles. “There has been a systematic attack on the Constitution… Those who dare to question this assault have faced severe repercussions, myself included. I have endured over 55 hours of grueling interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate,” Gandhi shared.
