Ashish Ranjan
On Thursday, Union minister Kiren Rijiju lashed out at Congress lawmaker Rahul Gandhi for alleging that Indian democracy is under threat, stating that anti-India forces speak the same language.Rijiju stated, “What Rahul Gandhi says is the same language used by those inside and outside India who are anti-India.”
The government has demanded an apology from Gandhi for “defaming” the nation and its democratic institutions during his visit to the United Kingdom, where he stated that India does not have free expression. It has maintained that the remarks were insulting to the judiciary, the legislature, and the media.
Rijiju stated that when it comes to the national interest, no one can remain mute. Rijiju stated, “Anything related to the nation is of concern to all.”He added that the government and the Bharatiya Janata Party do not care what Rahul Gandhi says or how it affects his own party, but they will not tolerate anyone “defaming” the nation.Whatever he says is damaging to his party. Does not concern us. If the party sinks because of him, it is none of our business, but if he attempts to harm the nation, we cannot remain mute.”
He referred to the Congress’s insistence that Gandhi did not disparage the nation and that an apology was therefore unnecessary. “Congress does not deserve to represent a certain segment of the population in the House of Commons if it believes the matter to be trivial.” They should be eternally indebted to the Indian people, who gave them the greatest opportunity to serve their country.”
He refuted the Congress’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the nation during his international travels. Rijiju stated that Modi did not disparage the nation, but rather stated that the government at the time was corrupt and ineffective.
Rijiju said Gandhi lied abroad. “Everyone saw and heard him during the first half of the budget session; he lied in the House of Representatives and disregarded the norms. Then, in London, he asserted he was not permitted to address Parliament. Two, he stated that he cannot address college and university students; everyone here has witnessed how he led the [Bharat Jodo] Yatra, yet he travels abroad and claims he is not permitted. “In India, the person who speaks the most is the one who asserts he is not permitted to.”
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He refuted the notion that India’s minorities are under attack. “I am a minority…he [Gandhi] claimed that Sikhs are second-class citizens. Consider the atrocities committed against minorities in our vicinity.”When asked if he concur with his colleague Giriraj Singh’s assessment that Gandhi’s remarks were subversive, Rijiju stated, “What he [Gandhi] has said is a greater violation…It constitutes a breach of the oath. He should apologise to the nation for demeaning the Constitution.
