“Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks on BJP Spark Protests in Lok Sabha: ‘You Are Not True Hindus'”
On July 1, during a heated session in the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi took aim at the ruling BJP, accusing those who identify as Hindus within the party of perpetuating violence and hatred. His remarks provoked a strong response from members of the treasury benches, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who contended that Gandhi’s statement impugned the entire Hindu community. Gandhi, however, clarified that his criticism was directed specifically at the BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and Modi, rather than Hindus as a whole.
To underscore his point, Gandhi displayed a picture of Lord Shiva, emphasizing that Shiva’s teachings embody fearlessness and non-violence. He further cited the core principles of various religions, including Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, which similarly advocate non-violence and fearlessness. “All religions and all our great men talk about non-violence and fearlessness, but those who call themselves Hindus only talk about violence, hatred, and falsehood…. Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (You are not Hindus),” he declared, igniting a tumultuous reaction from the BJP members.
Home Minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from Gandhi, arguing that his comments insulted millions of Hindus who take pride in their identity. Shah also pointed to historical events such as the Emergency and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to counter Gandhi’s stance on non-violence, suggesting that the Congress party had its own history of instigating terror. In his address, Gandhi accused the BJP of systematically undermining the Constitution and the foundational idea of India, noting that many citizens have opposed the ruling party’s ideologies. He recounted his personal tribulations, including multiple legal cases, the confiscation of his home, and extensive interrogations by the Enforcement Directorate, which he attributed to directives from Modi.
Despite these adversities, Gandhi expressed pride in the collective efforts to defend the Constitution, remarking that it was gratifying to hear BJP members now echoing the chant “Jai Samvidhan” (Hail the Constitution).
Gandhi also conveyed his satisfaction with his role in the Opposition, emphasizing that for him and his colleagues, truth held greater significance than power. His speech, marked by the display of a picture of Lord Shiva, prompted Speaker Om Birla to remind him of the parliamentary rules prohibiting the use of placards. Nonetheless, Gandhi reiterated that the essence of all religions, including Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism, lies in courage and fearlessness.
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Author:- Apoorva Arora