During a heated session in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Rahul Gandhi's display of a picture of Lord Shiva, along with placards featuring images of Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, and a quote from the Quran, sparked objections from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The Speaker cited rules against such displays within the House. Gandhi’s actions and statements were part of his broader criticism of the BJP and its approach to Hinduism and governance.
Gandhi, in his speech during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, argued that Hinduism, in its true essence, does not propagate fear, hatred, or falsehoods, which he accused the BJP of spreading. "Hinduism cannot spread fear and hatred, while the BJP does only the same," he stated.
The Speaker intervened, stating that the rules of the House do not permit the display of placards. This interruption came amidst Gandhi's broader assertion that Hinduism, along with other major religions like Sikhism and Islam, promotes courage and fearlessness.
Gandhi further accused the BJP of perpetuating violence, hatred, and untruths, challenging their adherence to Hindu principles by saying, "Aap Hindu ho hi nahi." (You are not a Hindu). This statement led to a significant reaction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was present in the House. Modi emphasized the seriousness of Gandhi's accusation against the Hindu community.
In his response to Modi, Gandhi clarified that his criticism was directed at the BJP and its leadership, not the Hindu society at large. He continued his speech by accusing the BJP of systematic attacks on the Constitution and the foundational principles of India. He highlighted his personal experiences of facing legal and political challenges, claiming these were directed by Modi himself.
Despite these adversities, Gandhi expressed pride in the collective efforts to defend the Constitution. He took a further dig at Modi by commenting on the Prime Minister's self-proclaimed direct connection with God, contrasting it with the human experience of birth and death. Gandhi's remarks referenced Modi's past statement about feeling divinely sent after the death of his mother, which Gandhi used to critique Modi's perceived detachment from the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
The session highlighted the intense political rivalry and ideological clash between the Congress and the BJP, especially regarding interpretations of Hinduism and the role of religion in politics.
