Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s pointed remarks against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha on Monday ignited a firestorm of protests from the treasury benches. Gandhi’s assertion that those who call themselves Hindus are perpetuating violence and hatred prompted vehement objections from BJP members, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi branding the comments as a grave accusation against the entire Hindu community.


Gandhi, however, clarified that his remarks were directed at the BJP and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), stating, "The BJP, the RSS, or Modi are not the entire Hindu society." Emphasising his point, Gandhi displayed a picture of Lord Shiva, underscoring the deity’s teachings of fearlessness and non-violence. He further drew parallels with the core messages of other religions, including Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, to highlight the universal value of courage and fearlessness.


Despite his explanations, the BJP benches erupted in protest. Home Minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from Gandhi, accusing him of offending millions of Hindus. Shah referenced historical events such as the Emergency and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, asserting that the Congress party has no moral standing to speak on non-violence.


“Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the House and the country for hurting the sentiments of crores of people who take pride in identifying themselves as Hindus,” Shah insisted.


BJP leaders joined the chorus, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw calling Gandhi’s statement condemnable.


"Today Rahul Gandhi has called the entire Hindu society violent and untruthful. He has insulted the Hindu society and this is not the first time, this is the old method of Congress. In 2010, the then Home Minister P Chidambaram had called Hindus terrorists... Rahul Gandhi has today lowered the dignity of the post of Leader of the Opposition. The whole country is saddened by this statement of Rahul Gandhi and no amount of condemnation of this statement is enough. Calling Hindus violent, calling Hindus liars, putting up pictures of God during parliamentary debate, adding politics to it, this level of debate does not suit the leader of the opposition in any way," he remarked, as quoted by news agency ANI.






BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla accused Gandhi of perpetuating "Hindu hate," likening his remarks to past Congress references to “Hindu terror” and questioning the party’s stance on religious tolerance.


"Even after the elections, their Hindu hate continues unabated. They are the same ones who used terms like 'Hindu terror', 'saffron terror', Hindutva is like ISIS and Boko-Haram, who questioned the existence of Lord Ram... Now in the Temple of Democracy, they are saying that those who call themselves Hindus are violent and spreading hatred. Will they say about any other religion? On one hand, they say terrorism has no religion, but when it comes to Hindus, they keep abusing in the name of vote bank politics," he remarked.






External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also slammed the LoP, "This is now the Leader of Opposition. Who attacks Hindus while professing brotherhood to all. Who disparages the Indian Army’s bravery, while expressing concern for their welfare. Who tears up Cabinet decisions, while preaching respect for Constitution. Welcome to the politics of the Congress Party."






On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament, Union Health Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda posted on X, "First day, worst show! Lies + Hindu hatred = Rahul Gandhi Ji in Parliament. Third Time Fail LoP has a knack for agitated, flawed logic. His speech today has shown that neither has he understood the mandate of 2024 (his third successive loss) nor does he have any humility."






BJP MP Arun Govil criticised Gandhi, stating, "He should apologise to all Hindus... He tried to create drama today but he does not know how to do that. For drama, understanding the content is important. He has not grown up. He is still immature."






Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also condemned Rahul Gandhi's remarks and demanded his apology.


ALSO READ | 'Lord Ram's Birthplace Gave A Message To BJP': Rahul Gandhi Mocks Party Over Ayodhya Loss


Rahul Gandhi 'Cannot Insult Hindus': Congress Leader Priyanka, I.N.D.I.A. Leaders Defend LoP


Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra defended her brother, stating, "He cannot insult Hindus. He said it very clearly. He talked about the BJP, he talked about BJP leaders." Other Congress and opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc members echoed her sentiment, asserting that Gandhi's comments were aimed at the BJP’s ideology, not at Hindus.






Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad clarified, "He talked about the mindset of BJP, the mindset and ideology of RSS. His statement was not for Hindus, it was for the people of BJP, RSS."






RJD MP Misa Bharti emphasised that Rahul Gandhi’s remarks were inclusive of all religions, pointing out, "He said BJP spreads hate...Why do they talk about something which happened around 50 years ago...Why do they not discuss their 10 years...They are not ready to have a discussion on the NEET issue."






Congress MP Kumari Selja also remarked, "He (Rahul Gandhi) did not say that Hindus do violence...He pointed towards BJP leaders and said that on one side they call themselves Hindu and other side they do violence..."






 "He (Rahul Gandhi) said that they (BJP) consider themselves Hindus, but they don't follow the teachings of Lord Shiva. He was talking about the BJP," Congress MP Rajeev Shukla told news agency PTI.


Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi accused the BJP of dragging Lord Ram and Hinduism into politics as she said, "He (Rahul Gandhi) raised important issues such as inflation, problems related to women, situation in Manipur and the Ayodhya issue. They (BJP) even dragged Lord Ram into politics to win a majority."






"Hinduism teaches about brotherhood but they are using Hinduism to spread hatred," she remarked.