Rahul Gandhi Targets BJP Over Savarkar’s 'Manusmriti Law' Remark, Responds To Indira Gandhi's Praise For Him
Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP, quoting Savarkar's disapproval of the Indian Constitution. He accused the Modi govt of suppressing the citizens, citing the Agniveer scheme, exam paper leaks, and farmer neglect.
Parliament Winter Session 2024: During the Lok Sabha discussion on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India on Saturday, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi delivered a sharp critique of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Rahul quoted Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, stating, “The worst thing about the Constitution of India is that there is nothing Indian about it. Manusmriti is the scripture that is most worshipable after the Vedas for our Hindu nation, and from which, in ancient times, it has become the basis of our culture, customs, thought, and practice. Today, Manusmriti is the law.”
He challenged the ruling party, asking, “Do you stand by your leader's words? Do you support your leader's words? Because when you speak in Parliament about protecting the Constitution, you are ridiculing Savarkar, you are abusing Savarkar, you are defaming Savarkar.”
VIDEO | "When we look at this Constitution, we remember this list of people, old different variations of the same idea... and in front us, stand the people who follow very different philosophical tradition. And I want to start my speech by quoting what the supreme leader, not of… pic.twitter.com/9ANLn6GwrZ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 14, 2024
Describing what he called an ongoing ideological battle in the country, Rahul likened the situation to the Mahabharata. “On this side (Opposition side) are the defenders of the Constitution. From Tamil Nadu, we will say Periyar; from Karnataka, Basavaṇṇa; from Maharashtra, Phule ji and Ambedkar ji; from Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi. You praise these people hesitatingly because you have to. But the truth is that you want India to be run the way it used to be run earlier.”
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Parliament Winter Session: Rahul Gandhi Evokes Eklavya To Criticise Modi Govt
Drawing from the Mahabharata, the Rae Bareli MP accused the government of metaphorically severing the thumbs of citizens. “Like Dronacharya cut off Eklavya's thumb, you are cutting off the thumb of the entire nation. When you hand over Dharavi to Adani, you cut off the thumb of entrepreneurs, small and medium businesses. When you hand over India's ports, airports, and defence industry to Adani, you cut off the thumbs of all fair-play businesses who work honestly,” he remarked.
Rahul also criticised the Agniveer scheme and alleged negligence towards the youth, referencing multiple exam paper leaks. “When you implemented Agniveer, you cut off the thumb of the youth. When you have paper leaks—70 paper leaks—you cut off the thumb of the youth of India.”
Accusing the government of failing farmers, he added, “Today, you lob tear gas shells on farmers outside Delhi, you unleash lathi charges on them. Farmers demand MSP and a fair price, but you facilitate profits to Adani and Ambani and cut off the thumbs of farmers.”
Rahul voiced concerns about communal violence citing the recent Sambhal clash and alleged state bias, stating, “The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. But wherever you go, you pit one religion against another. You spread hatred. Where is it written in the Constitution that a Dalit family has to be locked up while criminals roam freely?”
He further alleged, “Youngsters from Sambhal recently visited me. They told me about five innocent people being shot dead without cause. Where is it written in the Constitution that one religion must be pitted against another or that criminals are allowed to roam freely?”
Parliament Winter Session: Rahul On Indira Gandhi's Praise For Savarkar
Responding to Rahul's remarks, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde cited a letter where Indira Gandhi called Savarkar a “remarkable son of India”. “Was your grandmother also against the Constitution? You have the habit of speaking against him We are proud to praise Savarkar and will continue to do so,” Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde's son remarked.
Rahul countered by drawing a historical comparison: “I once spoke to Indira Gandhi Ji about this. She told me Savarkar ji compromised with the British, wrote a letter, and asked for forgiveness from the British. She said that Gandhi Ji went to jail and Nehru Ji went to jail, but Savarkar sought forgiveness. This was her position.”
Rahul Gandhi was only 14 years old when Indira Gandhi passed away and he claims he discussed Veer Savarkar topic with her. pic.twitter.com/H1zCpDIgIk
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) December 14, 2024
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also took to X and posed the letter, "This document is for Rahul Gandhi Ji as he made an incorrect statement in Lok Sabha about Veer Savarkar. Indira Gandhi."
This document is for Rahul Gandhi Ji as he made an incorrect statement in Lok Sabha about Veer Savarkar. Indira Gandhi. pic.twitter.com/Me8CuS58E8
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) December 14, 2024
Parliament Winter Session: Rahul Gandhi Reiterates Commitment To Caste Census
The former Congress president reiterated the INDIA bloc's demand for a caste census, citing its necessity for achieving social and economic equality. “The ideology of INDIA Alliance brought the Constitution of the country, and together, we safeguard it. Ambedkar Ji said if there is political equality but no social or economic equality, political equality will be destroyed. Today, this is evident. Political equality has ended. All of India's institutions have been captured. Social and economic equality no longer exists.”
He vowed: “We will breach the wall of 50% reservation and conduct a caste census. We want to show Dalits, Adivasis, Backwards, farmers, and labourers whose thumbs have been chopped off. This will usher in a new era of development in India.”
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