In a heated session of the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, made bold statements that led to significant reactions from the ruling party. Addressing reporters outside Parliament on Tuesday, Gandhi stated, “In Modi ji’s world, truth can be expunged. But in reality, the truth can’t be expunged. I said what I had to say, that is the truth. They can expunge as much as they want. Truth is truth.”
Rahul Gandhi’s Address and Controversial Remarks
During the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, Gandhi accused the ruling party of creating communal divisions, which triggered massive protests from the treasury benches. Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Gandhi, accusing him of labeling the entire Hindu community as violent.
Gandhi’s speech emphasized fearlessness, quoting religious leaders and texts. He cited the Quran, mentioning Prophet Muhammad’s teachings on fearlessness, and displayed images of Lord Shiva, Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, Buddha, and Mahavir to underscore his point. “All religions and great people say, ‘daro mat, darao mat’ (do not be scared, do not scare others),” Gandhi declared.
Expunged Remarks and BJP’s Reaction
Several of Gandhi’s statements were expunged from the official Parliament records. These included accusations that the BJP treats minorities unfairly, comments on industrialists Adani and Ambani, critiques of the NEET exam, and claims that the Agniveer Scheme originated from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) rather than the Indian Army.
Prime Minister Modi, intervening twice, and five other cabinet ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah, demanded an apology from Gandhi. Shah emphasized that Gandhi’s comments were divisive and disrespectful.
A Call for Unity and Courage
In his concluding remarks, Gandhi called on the ruling party to avoid spreading fear and hatred. “Do not think of the opposition as your enemies. We are ready to discuss anything you want to. Let us work together to take the country forward,” he urged.
Expunged Portions of Mallikarjun Kharge’s Speech
Similarly, parts of Mallikarjun Kharge’s speech in the Rajya Sabha were also expunged. Words like ‘Satyanash’ (annihilate), ‘Ghamand’ (arrogance), and ‘Mujra’ (a dance performance) were struck from the record, along with accusations against PM Modi for dividing society and spreading misinformation.
Conclusion
Rahul Gandhi’s debut speech as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha sparked significant controversy and reaction from the ruling party. Despite parts of his speech being expunged, Gandhi remains steadfast in his message of truth and fearlessness. As political tensions rise, the call for unity and collaboration continues to echo through the halls of Parliament.
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