In a highly charged session of the Lok Sabha on Monday, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, delivered a speech that ignited fierce debates and sharp responses from the treasury benches, particularly from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Gandhi’s remarks, addressing issues ranging from ‘Hinduism’ to NEET-UG and central agency cases, set the tone for a contentious parliamentary session. The Congress leader’s critique on ‘Hinduism’ drew immediate backlash as he pointedly remarked, “those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence.” This assertion triggered an uproar among BJP members, prompting PM Modi to stand on the floor of the House and call the remark a serious matter. He emphasized that labelling the entire Hindu community as violent was unacceptable and demanded an apology from Gandhi.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s objection, Gandhi clarified that his criticism was aimed at specific leaders and organizations rather than the broader Hindu community. He asserted that his remarks were directed towards the BJP, RSS, and Prime Minister Modi himself, rather than Hindus in general.
On the issue of NEET-UG, Gandhi criticized the exam, alleging it Favors wealthy students over those from underprivileged backgrounds. He argued that the current structure of NEET-UG creates a quota system that benefits affluent candidates while disadvantaging meritorious but economically challenged students. This statement added fuel to the already heated session, with Gandhi accusing the government of perpetuating inequality through educational policies.
Furthermore, Gandhi mentioned the Agniveer recruitment scheme for armed forces, referring to it as a “use and throw” labour force. His remarks on this topic were met with rebuttals from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who defended the scheme and refuted Gandhi’s characterization of it.
The session also saw Gandhi alleging a systematic assault on the Constitution and individuals who oppose the current government’s policies. He cited personal instances of what he described as attacks orchestrated by the government, including lengthy interrogations by central agencies.
In response to Gandhi’s address, PM Modi reaffirmed the importance of respecting democratic institutions and criticized Gandhi’s characterization of Hinduism. Home Minister Amit Shah echoed PM Modi’s sentiments, demanding an apology from the Congress leader for his remarks on Hindus and asserting that associating violence with any religion is incorrect. The session concluded amidst continued uproar and exchanges, highlighting deep-seated political divisions and differing perspectives on issues critical to the nation’s governance and identity.
