Leader of Opposition and Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for an ‘assault’ on the idea of India. In his first speech as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi displayed posters of religious figures, including Lord Shiva, to target the ruling party.
“All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear. Shivji also says be fearless, shows abhay mudra, propagates non- violence…,” Gandhi said while speaking on Monday in the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in Lok Sabha.
The Raebareli MP’s remark triggered an uproar in the Lok Sabha with top BJP leaders, including PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah , intervening to say that Rahul Gandhi has made serious allegations. Shah sought Gandhi’s apology for the remarks. “Rahul Gandhi must apologise for his remarks painting all Hindus as violent,” the Home Minister said.
Gandhi, who began his address in the Lok Sabha with ‘Jai Samvidhan’, displayed posters with images of Lord Shiva and Jesus Christ and cited the Quran in support of his argument that all religions teach courage and fearlessness.
Speaker Om Birla objected to Gandhi’s display of posters with images of religious figures. He urged Gandhi to follow the rules of Parliament and refrain from displaying placards on the floor of the House.
Rahul Gandhi’s speech in the 18th Lok Sabha came after Speaker Om Birla, who did not accept adjournment motions by Opposition MPs on NEET-UG row earlier in the day. Birla also refused to entertain Gandhi’s suggestion of a one-day discussion on the paper leak issue.
Gandhi also questioned why Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla bowed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his re-election. Speaker Birla responded that his values had taught him to respect elders and to meet equals as an equal.
“Prime Minister is the leader of the House and my values tell me to bow and show respect to those elder to me in public life and personal life. And to meet equals as an equal. These are my values,” Birla said.
