The Congress on Wednesday slammed leaders of the ruling NDA for making recent statements targeting Rahul Gandhi and called it a part of "clear conspiracy."
The party also questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the matter and requested the BJP to take action. It also warned that if no steps were taken, then Congress workers could protest at the homes of BJP MPs and ministers.
This remark came after BJP leaders protested outside Gandhi's residence at 10, Janpath, following his remarks in the US. Congress also claimed the government was "inciting hatred" and violence against the Leader of the Opposition, which they called a threat to both the ruling party and Indian democracy.
Speaking at a press conference, Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, accompanied by senior leader Abhishek Singhvi, stated that there had been a growing conspiracy against Gandhi in the last 15 days. "These statements pose a life threat to Rahul Gandhi. One week is over, we expected Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will come forward to correct these people and ask them to apologise. This is what we expect in a democracy," Venugopal said, news agency PTI reported.
Venugopal also mentioned that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had written a letter to PM Modi expressing concern, but instead of addressing it, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu made even more inflammatory remarks, calling Gandhi "number one terrorist."
"What does it mean? PM Modi, Home Minister Shah and the Union government have been maintaining silence. It means it is a clear conspiracy under the knowledge of the prime minister and the home minister," he also said.
"The Congress will not be scared. Rahul Gandhi walked 4000 km, can the PM even walk 14 km?...What is your (BJP) game play. Your leaders are motivating people to attack Rahul Gandhi and openly threaten him. Across the country, everyone is in reactive mode, especially INDIA leaders, and we are very grateful to them. If the government of India fails to control the situation, we know how to protect our leaders. However, the BJP bears moral responsibility for the consequences of this situation," Venugopal added.
BJP’s Threats Against Rahul Gandhi Will Only Make Him Stronger: Congress' Abhishek Singhvi
Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi argued that the BJP is "panicking" as Rahul Gandhi has often been labeled anti-national for consistently raising his voice on important issues like minority rights.
"Ask any BJP member: when the three black farm laws were passed, what did they say about the farming community? Look at the memes, tweets and abuses from 2021-2022, where they called an entire community anti-national. I challenge them to show one instance where the prime minister or home minister intervened when their agents abused farmers," he said.
"Democracy demands a democratic response. It may come late, but it will come, proving that the BJP’s threats against Rahul Gandhi ji will only make him stronger. This government is inciting hatred and violence against the Leader of the Opposition, a tragedy not only for the ruling party but for Indian democracy itself," Singhvi added.
He further added that despite the delays, judgement day for these wrongdoers, who are unworthy of their constitutional roles, is approaching. Singhvi also claimed that the remarks made by BJP leaders about Rahul Gandhi were part of a carefully orchestrated conspiracy to threaten his life.
"This is the politics of violence and jungle raj, which is defined only by fear and hatred. The truth is that such violent statements are a means of promotion for BJP. But, we will use every legal means and get such people punished," Singhvi said.
Earlier, Congress filed a police complaint against NDA leaders for their comments on Gandhi, alleging that they endangered his security and threatened peace, particularly ahead of polls in Jammu and Kashmir and, Haryana.