Wednesday, 03 July 2024
Wednesday, 03 July 2024
Leader of Opposition the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi took centre stage on Monday with a combative speech that amplified a range of critical issues. From Hinduism to the NEET exam, Gandhi's assertions were met with strong reactions -- against him and in support, respectively -- from the ruling BJP and his Congress party members. Here are five key points he raised:
Hinduism and BJP's ideology
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha during ongoing Parliament session, in New Delhi, Monday, July 1, 2024. Rahul Gandhi opened his address on Monday in the Lok Sabha with a sharp critique of the ruling BJP, asserting that Hinduism is not about spreading fear, hatred and falsehoods. He held up a picture of Lord Shiva, emphasising that true Hinduism is about fearlessness and non-violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi interrupted, arguing that calling the entire Hindu society violent is a serious matter. Rahul shot back: "The BJP and the RSS are not the entire Hindu society."
NEET mess
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi speaks in the House during ongoing Parliament session, in New Delhi, Monday, July 1, 2024. Soon after the Lok Sabha session commenced, Rahul brought up the issue of irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission into medical courses. He demanded a dedicated discussion on the matter, claiming that over 2 crore students had been affected by multiple paper leaks. He asserted: "Truth is NEET students do not believe in the exam, they think it's designed for rich students and not the meritorious."
BJP's attack against him
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi speaks in the Lok Sabha during ongoing Parliament session, in New Delhi, Monday, July 1, 2024. Rahul accused the BJP of launching systematic attacks on the Constitution and the fundamental idea of India. He recounted personal experiences, including over 20 cases filed against him, his house being taken away, and 55 hours of interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate. It was nothing but of political vendetta, he declared. "I was attacked on the orders of Prime Minister Modi," he claimed. On the Constitution, his jab was: "It feels nice that BJP people are now repeating 'Jai Samvidhan' after me."
Farmers' protest
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi at a protest of INDIA bloc against the alleged misuse of probe agencies by the central government, during ongoing Parliament session, in New Delhi, Monday, July 1, 2024. The Congress MP from Rae Bareli criticised the government's approach to the farmers' protests that have rocked the nation, calling out the ruling BJP's leaders' labelling of protesting farmers as terrorists. He backed farmers' demands such as guaranteed minimum support price and loan waivers and accused the government of ignoring the farmers' plight.
Manipur Crisis
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi leaves after attending the ongoing Parliament session, in New Delhi, Monday, July 1, 2024. The prime minister and the home minister appeared unconcerned about the situation in Manipur, suggesting they did not consider it part of the country, Rahul declared. He highlighted the ongoing turmoil in the northeastern state and what he called the government's apparent apathy towards it.
Agniveer scheme
Congress MP and LoP Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha during the ongoing Parliament session, in New Delhi, Monday, July 1, 2024. Rahul dubbed the Agniveer scheme of temporrary recruitments into the army as "use and throw" labour. He likened its arbitrary implementation to demonetisation. He argued that the scheme discriminated among soldiers, noting that agniveers were neither accorded the status of martyrs if they lost their lives in war nor provided with pension. He drew on his experiences from the Bharat Jodo Yatra to underscore what he called the discontent among soldiers.
Ayodhya
Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi speaks in the House during ongoing Parliament session, in New Delhi, Monday, July 1, 2024. On Ayodhya, Gandhi pointed out the lack of compensation for residents displaced by the construction of the Ayodhya airport and surrounding infrastructure. He mentioned the displeasure of locals when industrialist "Mr Adani" was invited to the inauguration, but not the residents themselves.
Jab at Speaker
Rahul Gandhi also had a verbal exchange with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Questioning Birla's impartiality, Gandhi remarked: “You are the final arbiter of the Lok Sabha. What you say fundamentally defines Indian democracy.” He pointed out a perceived difference in respect, noting how Birla bowed to Prime Minister Modi but stood straight while shaking his -- Rahul's hand. The Speaker said he bowed to elders.
