‘Bitterness Filled In His Mind’: Priyanka Gandhi Slams PM Modi For 'Misrepresenting' Nehru's Speech In LS

Modi claimed in LS that Nehru's statement about Indians not working reflected a lack of confidence in their abilities. Priyanka rebutted, emphasising Nehru's call for hard work as the key to progress.

File Photos: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi (L), Pt Jawaharlal Nehru (C), PM Modi (R). ( Image Source :PTI Images )

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of distorting lines from Jawaharlal Nehru's speech in Parliament, deeming it "shameful" and indicative of bitterness within the BJP towards the freedom movement and historical struggles for nation-building.

During Modi's response to the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in Lok Sabha, he launched repeated attacks on Nehru, claiming the Congress leader believed Indians were lazy and lacked intelligence.

READ | 'Nehru Thought Indians Are Lazy, Indira Assessed Congress Correctly’: PM Modi Tears Into Congress

In a swift retort, Priyanka Gandhi called the allegation against Nehru "shameful" and urged people to listen to the actual speech, sharing an audio recording where Nehru spoke about the need for hard work and self-reliance. In an X post, she highlighted Nehru's emphasis on Indians standing on their own feet and competing with developed countries.

भारतीय चेतना के अभिभावक पंडित नेहरू क्या भारतीयों को आलसी मानते थे?

कल लोकतंत्र के मंदिर संसद में प्रधानमंत्री मोदी जी ने ठीक यही आरोप पं नेहरू पर लगाया।

क्या इसमें जरा सी भी सच्चाई है?

कुछ भी सोचने से पहले पं नेहरू का वह भाषण पढ़ और सुन लीजिए। यहीं से मोदी जी कोट कर रहे… pic.twitter.com/C0ECaSupn0

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) February 6, 2024

Priyanka Gandhi stressed the historical context, citing the challenges faced by millions after independence, including famine and exploitation by the British. She questioned whether it was a crime for the Prime Minister to encourage self-reliance in a newly independent country and asserted that misrepresenting Nehru's speech was not only shameful but reflected bitterness towards India's freedom movement.

"There were millions of deaths from famine and starvation. If the Prime Minister of such a country tells his people that they must stand on their own feet, work hard, and compete with developed countries. Is this a crime? Is it an insult to the people when a newly independent country's Prime Minister inspires its people to become self-sufficient?" She said.

"Not only is it shameful to misrepresent a few lines from the speech of the country's first Prime Minister, but it also shows how much bitterness is filled in the minds of Prime Minister Modi ji, the BJP, and the RSS towards our freedom movement and historical struggles for nation building," the general secretary of the Congress said.

Expressing concern over the distortion of historical statements, Priyanka questioned the appropriateness of such actions by the Prime Minister, considering his position of power and influence over the country's media.

"The question is whether such actions by Modi ji, who is in charge of both power and the country's media, are appropriate for him and his position. Is it unreasonable to expect this from him? Priyanka Gandhi said.