New Delhi: Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched an all-out attack on the BJP in Lok Sabha, saying the ruling party leaders are not Hindus as they engage in "violence and hatred" round the clock. drawing massive protests from the treasury benches, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing the Congress leader of calling the entire Hindu community violent.
Gandhi, however, responded to Modi, saying that he was talking about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and that neither the ruling party nor the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) nor Modi represents the entire Hindu society.
Apart from Modi, who intervened twice, at least five cabinet ministers also intervened during Gandhi's speech that lasted about an hour and 40 minutes, and Home Minister Amit Shah demanded his apology for describing the Hindu community as "It is not just one religion that speaks of bravery. In fact, all our religions speak of bravery," Gandhi said in his debut speech as leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, which was witnessed by his mother Sonia Gandhi. and his sister Priyanka Gandhi. Vadra from the visitors gallery.
Gandhi quoted Prophet Muhammad to highlight that the Quran also talks about bravery and said that when we raise our hands for 'dua', 'abhay mudra' can also be observed in some way.
Holding photographs of Lord Shiva, Guru Nanak and Jesus Christ, he referred to Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism and Jainism to underline the importance of bravery. He also cited the attributes of Lord Shiva and the teachings of Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, Buddha and Mahavir to claim that all religions and great people of the country have said "daro mat, darao mat (don't be scared, don't scare others)" "Shivji says daro mat, darao mat, shows abhay mudra (right hand held erect with palm facing out), talks about ahimsa, but those who call themselves Hindus indulge in hatred, violence and lies round the clock of the day," Gandhi said. , targeting BJP MPs.
As members of the Treasury bench stood up in protest, Gandhi attacked the BJP saying: "Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (you are not Hindus). In Hinduism it is clearly written that one should stand for the truth and not shrink from the truth." TRUE". truth or be afraid of it," he said.
Intervening during his speech, Modi said: "This problem is very serious. Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a serious problem." Gandhi said that he is talking about the BJP and that the ruling party is not the only representative of Hinduism. .
“Ye theka nahi hai BJP ka,” he said.
Shah sought the Congress leader's apology before the House and the country for hurting the sentiments of millions of people who take pride in identifying themselves as Hindus. He said the ruckus created by the opposition cannot drown out the fact that the words "those who call themselves Hindus indulge in violence" were used in the House.
Shah spoke of the Emergency and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to hit back at Gandhi, saying that he has no right to talk about non-violence when the Congress had spread "ideological terror" in the country.
Attacking Gandhi for alleging that ministers do not greet him for fear of Modi, the prime minister said democracy and the Constitution have taught him to take the opposition leader seriously. Gandhi accused the BJP of launching "systematic attacks " to the Constitution and the fundamental idea of India, pointing out that millions of people have resisted the ideas proposed by the ruling party.
"I was attacked on the orders of Prime Minister Modi and the government. There were more than 20 cases (against me), a two-year jail sentence, they took away (my) house, 55 hours of interrogation by the ED," he said.
As Gandhi held a photograph of Lord Shiva, President Om Birla reminded him that the rules do not allow display of posters in the House. The Congress leader also accused the BJP of threatening minorities and spreading hatred and violence against Muslims, Sikhs and Christians.
He said minorities represent India in all spheres and make the nation proud. "They are a rock with the country and they are patriots, but you (the BJP) attack them," he said.
Referring to the Agnipath scheme for short-term military recruitment, Gandhi said the government considers Agniveers as "throwaway workers" and does not even give them "shaheed" (martyr) status. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, intervened to refute Gandhi's allegation and said that an Agniveer who lays down his life in the line of duty receives compensation of Rs 1 million.
"This House is not for spreading lies. Rahul Gandhi should apologize to the House, the country and Agniveers," Shah said.
Gandhi claimed that the armed forces know that Agnipath was Modi's brainchild, prompting Singh to accuse the opposition leader of misleading the House. "If we come to power, we will scrap the Agnipath plan as it is against the jawans, the armed forces and the deshbhakts (patriots)," Gandhi said.
He also criticized the Center over the situation in Manipur, alleging that it has pushed the northeastern state into a civil war.
The former Congress chief also criticized the government over farmers' woes, saying it did not want to give a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan objected to the remarks by Gandhi and accused him of "misleading" the House. Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Bhupender Yadav also spoke at different points in Gandhi's speech.
Later, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Rijiju and BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi, held a press conference to refute Gandhi's allegations.
Referring to a dispute related to the NEET medical entrance test, Gandhi said students do not believe in the exam because they feel that it is for the rich and there is no place in it for meritorious students. Talking about his new role as a leader of the opposition, Gandhi said his job is to represent all parties equally with love and affection.
"So when Hemant Soren or (Arvind) Kejriwal go to jail, I should be worried. When you unleash police forces on them, we should defend them. When you are a constitutional person, your personal aspirations should take a backseat," he said. saying.
In his concluding remarks, Gandhi asked the ruling party not to sow fear or hatred in the minds of the people. "Do not consider the opposition as your enemies. We are ready to discuss any issue presented to us. I congratulate them for winning 240 seats." , said.
Gandhi, however, responded to Modi, saying that he was talking about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and that neither the ruling party nor the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) nor Modi represents the entire Hindu society.
Apart from Modi, who intervened twice, at least five cabinet ministers also intervened during Gandhi's speech that lasted about an hour and 40 minutes, and Home Minister Amit Shah demanded his apology for describing the Hindu community as "It is not just one religion that speaks of bravery. In fact, all our religions speak of bravery," Gandhi said in his debut speech as leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, which was witnessed by his mother Sonia Gandhi. and his sister Priyanka Gandhi. Vadra from the visitors gallery.
Gandhi quoted Prophet Muhammad to highlight that the Quran also talks about bravery and said that when we raise our hands for 'dua', 'abhay mudra' can also be observed in some way.
Holding photographs of Lord Shiva, Guru Nanak and Jesus Christ, he referred to Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism and Jainism to underline the importance of bravery. He also cited the attributes of Lord Shiva and the teachings of Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, Buddha and Mahavir to claim that all religions and great people of the country have said "daro mat, darao mat (don't be scared, don't scare others)" "Shivji says daro mat, darao mat, shows abhay mudra (right hand held erect with palm facing out), talks about ahimsa, but those who call themselves Hindus indulge in hatred, violence and lies round the clock of the day," Gandhi said. , targeting BJP MPs.
As members of the Treasury bench stood up in protest, Gandhi attacked the BJP saying: "Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (you are not Hindus). In Hinduism it is clearly written that one should stand for the truth and not shrink from the truth." TRUE". truth or be afraid of it," he said.
Intervening during his speech, Modi said: "This problem is very serious. Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a serious problem." Gandhi said that he is talking about the BJP and that the ruling party is not the only representative of Hinduism. .
“Ye theka nahi hai BJP ka,” he said.
Shah sought the Congress leader's apology before the House and the country for hurting the sentiments of millions of people who take pride in identifying themselves as Hindus. He said the ruckus created by the opposition cannot drown out the fact that the words "those who call themselves Hindus indulge in violence" were used in the House.
Shah spoke of the Emergency and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to hit back at Gandhi, saying that he has no right to talk about non-violence when the Congress had spread "ideological terror" in the country.
Attacking Gandhi for alleging that ministers do not greet him for fear of Modi, the prime minister said democracy and the Constitution have taught him to take the opposition leader seriously. Gandhi accused the BJP of launching "systematic attacks " to the Constitution and the fundamental idea of India, pointing out that millions of people have resisted the ideas proposed by the ruling party.
"I was attacked on the orders of Prime Minister Modi and the government. There were more than 20 cases (against me), a two-year jail sentence, they took away (my) house, 55 hours of interrogation by the ED," he said.
As Gandhi held a photograph of Lord Shiva, President Om Birla reminded him that the rules do not allow display of posters in the House. The Congress leader also accused the BJP of threatening minorities and spreading hatred and violence against Muslims, Sikhs and Christians.
He said minorities represent India in all spheres and make the nation proud. "They are a rock with the country and they are patriots, but you (the BJP) attack them," he said.
Referring to the Agnipath scheme for short-term military recruitment, Gandhi said the government considers Agniveers as "throwaway workers" and does not even give them "shaheed" (martyr) status. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, intervened to refute Gandhi's allegation and said that an Agniveer who lays down his life in the line of duty receives compensation of Rs 1 million.
"This House is not for spreading lies. Rahul Gandhi should apologize to the House, the country and Agniveers," Shah said.
Gandhi claimed that the armed forces know that Agnipath was Modi's brainchild, prompting Singh to accuse the opposition leader of misleading the House. "If we come to power, we will scrap the Agnipath plan as it is against the jawans, the armed forces and the deshbhakts (patriots)," Gandhi said.
He also criticized the Center over the situation in Manipur, alleging that it has pushed the northeastern state into a civil war.
The former Congress chief also criticized the government over farmers' woes, saying it did not want to give a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan objected to the remarks by Gandhi and accused him of "misleading" the House. Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Bhupender Yadav also spoke at different points in Gandhi's speech.
Later, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Rijiju and BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi, held a press conference to refute Gandhi's allegations.
Referring to a dispute related to the NEET medical entrance test, Gandhi said students do not believe in the exam because they feel that it is for the rich and there is no place in it for meritorious students. Talking about his new role as a leader of the opposition, Gandhi said his job is to represent all parties equally with love and affection.
"So when Hemant Soren or (Arvind) Kejriwal go to jail, I should be worried. When you unleash police forces on them, we should defend them. When you are a constitutional person, your personal aspirations should take a backseat," he said. saying.
In his concluding remarks, Gandhi asked the ruling party not to sow fear or hatred in the minds of the people. "Do not consider the opposition as your enemies. We are ready to discuss any issue presented to us. I congratulate them for winning 240 seats." , said.
