Rahul Gandhi Lok Sabha speech: Top quotes

TOI News Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Jul 1, 2024, 17:05 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Rahul Gandhi Lok Sabha speech: Top quotes

NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi on Monday began his first speech of 18th Lok Sabha by invoking 'Jai Sanvidhan' (Hail Constitution) amidst BJP chants of 'Jai Sri Ram' as he got up to speak.
Here are the key quotes-
Hinduism and BJP

Rahul Gandhi began his speech in the Lok Sabha by invoking 'Jai Sanvidhan' (Hail Constitution) amidst BJP chants of 'Jai Sri Ram'.
Asserting that Hinduism is not about spreading fear, hatred, and falsehoods, Gandhi criticized the BJP for their interpretation of Hindu values.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened, saying that calling the entire Hindu society violent is a serious issue. Gandhi retorted that the BJP and the RSS do not represent the entire Hindu society.

Religious tolerance and courage

Gandhi said that all religions, including Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, speak about courage and fearlessness.
Displaying a picture of Lord Shiva, Gandhi highlighted that true Hinduism is about fearlessness and non-violence, contrasting it with the BJP’s actions which, he claimed, spread fear and hatred.
"Another thing I noticed is that it is not just one religion that talks about courage. All religions talk about courage. All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear. But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth. Aap Hindu ho hi nahi," Rahul said.

Systematic attacks on the Constitution

Gandhi accused the BJP of launching systematic attacks on the Constitution and the fundamental idea of India.
"There has been a systematic and a full-scale assault on the idea of India, the Constitution and on the people who resisted the attack on the Constitution. Many of us were personally attacked. Some of the leaders are still in jail," he said.
He claimed that those resisting the concentration of power and wealth, as well as the aggression on the poor, Dalits, and minorities, have been crushed.
"I was attacked on the orders of Prime Minister Modi," Gandhi said, recounting personal attacks and legal challenges, including 55 hours of interrogation by the ED.

Pride in opposition

Despite these challenges, Gandhi expressed pride in the opposition's collective effort to protect the Constitution.
"I am happy and proud to be in the opposition. For us, there is something more than power, it is the truth," he said.

Mocks PM for 'sent by God' remark

Gandhi mocked PM Modi's remark about being 'sent by God', saying, "'Parmatma' directly communicates with Modi Ji's 'aatma,' rest of us are merely biological beings who are born and die."
He also criticized Modi for saying that Mahatma Gandhi was revived by a movie, questioning the PM's understanding and calling it ignorant. "The PM says that (Mahatma) Gandhi is dead and Gandhi was revived by a movie. Can you understand the ignorance?"

Critique of Agnipath Scheme

Gandhi criticized the Agnipath scheme, calling it the brainchild of PM Modi and not the armed forces. He promised that a future government under his leadership would scrap the scheme.

Economic criticisms

Gandhi blamed the government for breaking the backbone of job creation due to demonetisation and a flawed GST.
He highlighted the demand for MSP with legal guarantees by farmers, which the government has not addressed.
He also pointed out the lack of faith NEET students have in the exam, accusing it of favoring the wealthy over the meritorious.

Uproar and demands for apology

Gandhi’s remarks about Hinduism and the BJP triggered massive protests from BJP members.
Home minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from Gandhi for hurting the sentiments of millions who identify as Hindus.
Shah referenced the Emergency and 1984 anti-Sikh riots, accusing the Congress of spreading terror and questioning Gandhi’s right to speak about non-violence.

The session saw intense exchanges, with PM Modi stating, "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter," and emphasizing the importance of taking democracy seriously.

Gandhi reiterated that the opposition is not the enemy but is there to make the government’s work easier.

About the Author

TOI News Desk

The TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most."

End of Article