Kaushambi (UP), April 7
Attacking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks in the UK, Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that it’s not democracy that is in danger, but “your family” and the idea of dynasty politics that is under threat.
Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the Kaushambi Mahotsav, Shah accused the Congress of surrounding Indian democracy with three “naasur” (ulcerous wounds) — casteism, dynasty politics and appeasement. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi defeated all three and hence “you are afraid,” he added.
“They say democracy is in danger, brother democracy is not in danger, your family is in danger. It is not the idea of India, which is in danger, it is the idea of dynasty, your politics of ‘parivarvad’ (dynasty), which is in danger. It is not the democracy of India, but the autocracy of your family, which is in danger,” the senior BJP leader said.
During a visit to the UK last month, Gandhi alleged the structures of Indian democracy were under “brutal attack” and a full-scale assault on the country’s institutions was underway. His remarks triggered a war of words between the BJP and the Congress.
The BJP accused Gandhi of “insulting” the country on foreign soil and demanded an apology, but the Congress leader said his position that India’s democracy was under attack “was known” to all.
Shah also hit out at the Congress party for allegedly not allowing Parliament to function.
“Yesterday, the Parliament was adjourned. In the history of independent India, it has never happened that the Budget Session ended without a sitting and discussion… What was the reason? Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP,” the Union minister said.
On March 18, a Surat court sentenced Gandhi for two years in jail in a criminal defamation case filed over his remark against people with the surname “Modi”, but allowed him 30 days to appeal in a higher court. A day later, the Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a notification suspending his Lok Sabha membership.
The Congress accused the BJP of indulging in “vindictive politics” but the ruling party said it was the law.
On Friday, addressing the gathering in Kaushambi, Shah asked, “Who brought the law?” He also said Gandhi was not the only leader whose membership has “gone” after sentencing by a court. “So far, the membership of 17 MLAs-MPs has gone, including that of Rahul Gandhi.” The Union minister asked Gandhi to “follow the law “and secure acquittal from a higher court.
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