‘Not proper to call all Hindus violent’: Modi objects to Rahul Gandhi’s remark in Lok Sabha

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition (LoP), triggered a row in the Lok Sabha on Monday with his remark targeting the BJP, saying “those who call themselves Hindus only talk about violence, hatred and lies.” Gandhi’s comments forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to interrupt and seeking apology and saying, “calling the entire Hindu community violent is very serious.”

What did Rahul Gandhi say?

Speaking on Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi displaying a poster depicting Lord Shiva, said: “Abhayamudra is the symbol of the Congress… The Abhayamudra is the gesture of fearlessness, the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and other Indian religions…”

“All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear… But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth… ‘Aap Hindu ho hi nahi’ (you are not Hindus),” Gandhi further said.

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“Hinduism is not about spreading fear, hatred and falsehoods,” Gandhi said, citing Islam, Sikhism to underline one should be fearless.

#WATCH | Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, "All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth…Aap Hindu ho hi nahi…"

PM Modi is present in the House. pic.twitter.com/mdHtPI9TvL

— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2024

Government demands apology from Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi remarks created uproar in the Lok Sabha. Amid this, PM Modi stood up and slammed Gandhi for remark, saying: “Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter.”

In his second intervention that drew jeers from his rivals; PM Modi declared the Constitution had taught him to respect the post of the LoP, which is currently held today by Gandhi.

#WATCH | After LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi attacks him, PM Modi responds by saying, "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter." pic.twitter.com/HrpCvLg3hF

— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2024

Union minister Amit Shah slammed Rahul Gandhi’s remark, demanding an apology.

“The Leader of the Opposition has categorically said that those who call themselves Hindu talk of violence and do violence. He doesn’t know that crores of people proudly call themselves Hindu. Connecting violence with any religion is wrong. He should apologise,” he said.

However, Gandhi hit back saying PM Modi and Shah cannot claim to be the sole representative of the Hindu community.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in response to Gandhi, said the House operates under established rules, procedures, and traditions and that during the motion of thanks on the President’s address, no other issue has historically been taken up.

With inputs from agencies