Portions of Rahul Gandhi’s maiden speech as Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha have been expunged from the parliamentary records on the orders of the Speaker.
His speech, which targeted the central government on various issues including minorities, the NEET row, and the Agnipath scheme, contained remarks that were deemed inappropriate and have been removed from the official records.
During the debate on the motion of thanks on President Draupadi Murmu’s address, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP and RSS of spreading violence and hatred.
His comments drew strong protests from the Treasury benches, with BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, expressing their objections. They accused Gandhi of misleading the House and making false statements about the Hindu community.
In his speech, Rahul Gandhi invoked religious figures such as Lord Shiva, Prophet Mohammad, Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, Lord Buddha, and Lord Mahavir, claiming he drew his inspiration of fearlessness from their teachings.
However, his remarks on the BJP’s treatment of minorities and his criticism of the party’s alleged connections with industrialists Adani and Ambani, as well as comments on the Agniveer Scheme, were among the portions expunged from the records.
Prime Minister Modi criticised Gandhi’s speech, calling his accusations against the Hindu community serious. Home Minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from Gandhi.
The BJP held a press conference to denounce Gandhi’s remarks, while the Congress responded with its own press conference, attacking the ruling party.
Dilip Mandal, a prominent Dalit voice, defended the BJP government, claiming that the past decade under BJP rule has been the most peaceful time for India since independence.
He dismissed Gandhi’s claims of violence against minorities and accused the Congress leader of attempting to scare investors and appease Muslims for electoral gains, particularly targeting votes in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Mandal argued that the number of communal riots has significantly reduced under BJP rule compared to the Congress regime. He stated that during the Congress era, numerous riots occurred, whereas in the last ten years, only two major communal incidents have been recorded, referring to the Delhi and Manipur riots.
According to Mandal, Gandhi’s remarks were an attempt to regain Muslim votes from parties like the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
The expunging of portions of Rahul Gandhi’s speech highlights the contentious nature of the current political climate, with both major parties, BJP and Congress, trading accusations and defending their respective positions.
The removal of these remarks from the parliamentary records underscores the Speaker’s role in maintaining decorum and ensuring that the debates within the Lok Sabha adhere to established parliamentary norms.
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