RSS Chief Is ‘Rejecting Constitution’, Dalit BJP MPs 'Caged': Rahul Gandhi Mounts Attack On Bhagwat, BJP In Patna

Rahul Gandhi arrived at the Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport on Saturday morning, where he was welcomed by Bihar Congress chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh and senior party leaders.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses ''Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan' in Patna, Bihar.

Source : PTI

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday arrived on a one-day visit to Patna, Bihar, where he addressed the 'Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan' in Bapu Sabhagar. While addressing the conference, he said that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's 'true independence' remark was against the Constitution and that he was "rejecting" it. He also claimed that the BJP MPs of the backward classes have told him that they have been "put in a cage".

The Congress leader, who is in Bihar for the first time since the Lok Sabha elections last year, hit out at Mohan Bhagwat over his "true independence" remark once again, and alleged that the BJP and its ideological mentor RSS were "trying to erase" the thoughts of BR Ambedkar and Lord Buddha from all the agencies and social structure.

"As Ganga water goes everywhere, similarly the vision of Constitution should reach everyone, and a few days back Mohan Bhagwat says Ganga did not originate at Gangotri, India did not get independence in 1947, but afterwards. If he is saying this, then he is denying the Constitution. They are trying to erase the thoughts of Lord Buddha, Gandhji, Ambedkar ji, Phule ji from all the agencies, institutions, financial, economic systems, social structure," Rahul Gandhi said.

Mohan Bhagwat had said a few days ago that India got "true independence" only after the consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. This sparked a row and the RSS chief received harsh criticism for his remarks.

Gandhi then went on to make a big claim about the BJP MPs belonging to backward and dalit communities, saying that he was told by them that they had been "caged". He made this remark as he targeted PM Modi over claims that the BJP-led government would "change" the Constitution. 

"You tell me where it is written in the Constitution that all the money of the country should go in the hands of 2-3 people. Modi ji used to say that if they get 400 seats, then they will change it, when we made him understand the reality of Constitution, he came to the Parliament keeping it on his head...In today's India, the MLAs and MPs have no power. When I meet the BJP MPs who belong to the backward community, Dalits, tribals, they say that we have been put in a cage," Gandhi added.

VIDEO | LS LoP and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) addressing people during 'Samvidham Sukraksha Sammelan' in Patna says, "As Ganga water goes everywhere, similarly the vision of Constitution should reach everyone, and a few days back Mohan Bhagwat says Ganga… pic.twitter.com/v3xrNRIIPI

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 18, 2025

The event was organised for interaction with leaders of the Bihar Congress, and its theme was based on safeguarding Constitution. Rahul Gandhi said the Constitution comprised of 1000-year-old thoughts of all the tall leaders, including that of the STs, marginalised, and Dalits. 

"Constitution is being talked here. As the Constitution is in hands of everyone here, it should reach everyone. This is not just a book, it is the thought of 1,000 years. I was said that I was welcomed on the land of Buddha, his thought is there in the book. Every other tall leaders' voice is there in this Constitution. There is one more thing, the injustice that was done to Dalits, marginalised, STs, is also there in the book. This Constitution has somewhat lessened the pain," he said.

VIDEO | LS LoP and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) addressing people during 'Samvidham Sukraksha Sammelan' in Patna says, "Constitution is being talked here. As the Constitution is in hands of everyone here, it should reach everyone. This is not just a book, it… pic.twitter.com/eMvvfK6ccs

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 18, 2025

The LoP further reiterated that the Congress will continue to stick to its demand for caste census, which he said is necessary for development plan. He also said a few select organisations, including RSS, and industrial houses wree running the country.

"Caste census should be conducted to understand the true situation of the nation. It will not be like the fake caste census that has been conducted in Bihar...A policy should be made based on the caste census...Congress will pass the caste census in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. We will demolish the barrier of 50% reservations," the Congress leader said.

Rahul Gandhi arrived at the Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport on Saturday morning, where he was welcomed by Bihar Congress chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh and senior party leaders.

He will also visit Sadaqat Ashram, which serves as the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) headquarters. He will be inaugurating a newly constructed staff quarter and renovated auditorium there, which has been named after his grandmother and father, respectively, PTI reported.