'India Is A Family, BJP Wants To Divide It': Rahul Gandhi Fires Fresh Salvo At Modi Govt In Wayanad

Gandhi questioned the brevity and levity with which Prime Minister Modi addressed Manipur's crisis, emphasising that the gravity of the situation demanded more attention.

File Photo Of Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi ( Image Source :PTI )

Rahul Gandhi In Wayanad: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi commenced a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency, Wayanad in Kerala, on Saturday. During his address, Gandhi discussed his recent visit to Manipur, emphasising the dire situation in the region. He sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response to the upheaval and expressed concern about the BJP's divisive policies.

Gandhi questioned the brevity and levity with which Prime Minister Modi addressed Manipur's crisis, emphasising that the gravity of the situation demanded more attention.

"There's blood everywhere, murder everywhere, and rape everywhere. That is the situation in Manipur, and the Prime Minister spoke for 2 hours and 13 minutes in Parliament, but only for 2 minutes in Manipur. He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) laughed and made a joke. His cabinet laughed, joked....," Gandhi while addressing people in Wayanad. 

"The BJP seeks to destroy families, and India is a family that they seek to divide," Gandhi said. 

'Blood Everywhere': Gandhi Recalls His Manipur Visit In Kerala

Gandhi underscored the anguish he witnessed through encounters with Manipuri women. He told stories of grief and loss, emphasising the devastating impact of the unrest on families and individuals. "It felt like somebody threw kerosene on Manipur and set it on fire," he lamented.

Gandhi said: "I have been in politics for about 19 years, but what I witnessed in Manipur was my first. I have been there during floods, riots, and tsunamis. I've travelled across the country on numerous occasions during times of tragedy. But I saw something in Manipur that I had never seen before."

"Because you are my family, it is important for me to tell you what I saw (in Manipur). I can't tell you about everyone, but I'll give you two examples," he added. 

"Both examples involve Manipuri women, and these are the women I have met in the relief camps. When I entered the room, one of the women was lying alone on the floor. Everyone else had someone close by except the lady. I inquired, 'Where is your family?' 'I have no family left,' she replied. When I asked her, 'What happened to you?' she couldn't answer for a while, so I held her hand and she told me, 'I was sleeping in my house in our village with my son. My son was murdered right in front of my eyes. Then I spent the entire night lying next to his body," Gandhi said during his address. 

Citing another example, Rahul said: "A similar kind of story was witnessed by another woman. It felt like someone poured paraffin on Manipur and set it ablaze. When I asked the other woman what happened to her, she went unconscious. Can you imagine your mother or sister being unable to bear what she has gone through?" he asked. 

Gandhi Explains 'Idea Of India': 

Drawing parallels between Gandhi's 'vision of India' and the current climate of violence and hatred, Gandhi said that India's essence was rooted in love and mutual respect among its people. He reiterated that the current turmoil in Manipur was antithetical to the nation's core values.

"The concept of India symbolises peace among its people." It is not India if there is violence and hatred. India is a land of love and affection among its people," Gandhi said. 

'BJP, RSS Won't Understand What Family Is': Gandhi In His First Speech After MP Status Restored

In a pointed remark, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi asserted, "The BJP and the RSS fail to grasp the essence of a family." Their efforts to divide us only serve to bring us closer together. They believe that disqualifying Rahul Gandhi will sever his ties with Wayanad. Such actions, on the other hand, will only strengthen and deepen his connection with the constituency."

This visit marked Rahul Gandhi's first official visit to Wayanad after his reinstatement as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha. His re-entry followed a Supreme Court stay order on his conviction in the 'Modi surname' defamation case.