“Hindu Violence” Remark Sparks Parliamentary Uproar as BJP Leaders Clash with Rahul Gandhi

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 2^nd July. In a recent session of the Bharatiya Parliament, Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Congress party, sparked controversy when in the middle of his speech, he declared that those who call themselves Hindus practice violence and hatred 24*7 and displayed a picture of Bhagwan Shiva during his speech. This unexpected act led to discomfort among the members present.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised strong objections to Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about “Hindu violence” in the Lok Sabha, leading to a significant uproar in Parliament. This controversy surrounding Gandhi’s remarks also highlights the challenges of addressing communal violence in Bharat, a country with a complex tapestry of religious and cultural identities.

During the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address to a joint sitting of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, delivered a pointed speech targeting the ruling BJP. Gandhi asserted that Hinduism does not advocate spreading fear, hatred, and falsehoods, and his description of “Hindu violence” sparked immediate and intense reactions from the BJP leaders.

The Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, promptly intervened, reminding Gandhi of the parliamentary protocol, which explicitly prohibits the display of symbols or props during speeches. The episode has sparked a wider debate on the inappropriate conduct within the Parliament and the ethical boundaries that politicians should adhere to, especially when it comes to religious symbols and sentiments.

Despite the Speaker’s intervention, Rahul Gandhi continued to flash the picture of Bhagwan Shiva, drawing a parallel between the deity’s “Abhay mudra” (a gesture signifying fearlessness) and the Congress party’s election symbol. This comparison was deemed illogical by many, and the act itself was seen as a blatant disregard for the rules of parliamentary conduct.

Prime Minister Modi, in his response, emphasized that Hinduism is inherently a religion of peace and tolerance. He condemned Gandhi’s remarks as an attempt to malign the religion and its followers. Modi further stressed that the BJP, while being a party rooted in Hindu values, does not support or endorse any form of violence or hatred.

Senior BJP leaders echoed Modi’s sentiments, arguing that Gandhi’s comments were not only inappropriate but also divisive. They accused him of attempting to create a rift between different communities for political gains. The BJP members demanded that Gandhi retract his statement and issue an apology to the nation for his remarks.

The uproar in Parliament disrupted the proceedings, with members from both sides engaging in heated exchanges. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha had to intervene multiple times to restore order and allow the discussion to continue.

This incident has further intensified the political rivalry between the BJP and the Congress, with both parties leveraging the controversy to bolster their respective narratives. Following a strong backlash from BJP leaders, Rahul Gandhi sought to clarify his controversial remarks by stating, “Modi, BJP, RSS, not the entire Hindu community.” His clarification aimed to specify that his criticism was directed at certain political entities and not the Hindu community as a whole.

#WATCH | After PM Modi objects to his remarks, LoP Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, " Modi, BJP, RSS not the entire Hindu community." https://t.co/fw7bSSHb9H

— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2024

Further he said, displaying a photo of Lord Shiva’s “Abhayamudra is the symbol of Congress. The Abhayamudra is the gesture of fearlessness, is the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and other Bharatiya 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,” he added. PM Modi swiftly objected to the Congress leader’s comments on the Hindu community, saying, “Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter.”

#WATCH | Responding to LoP Rahul Gandhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha says, "The Leader of 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.… pic.twitter.com/yFwIsXeTN6

— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi quickly responded to Gandhi’s clarification, emphasizing the importance of democracy and the Constitution in his approach. Modi stated, “Democracy and the Constitution have taught me that I need to take the Leader of the Opposition seriously,” indicating that while he acknowledges Gandhi’s role, he expects responsible and respectful discourse.

Home Minister Amit Shah also weighed in on the controversy, demanding that Gandhi apologize to both the House and the country for his comments, which Shah argued had hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindus. Shah criticized Gandhi, emphasizing that crores of people take pride in being Hindus and that Gandhi’s remarks were disrespectful to their beliefs.

The exchange highlights the deep political and ideological divide between the BJP and the Congress. The BJP leaders have consistently positioned themselves as defenders of Hindu values, and Gandhi’s comments provided them with an opportunity to reaffirm their stance and rally their supporters. On the other hand, Gandhi’s clarification and stance suggest his intent to challenge the BJP’s narrative while attempting to draw a distinction between Hinduism as a religion and the political actions of certain groups.

The incident has further polarized the political atmosphere, with both parties using the controversy to galvanize their respective bases. It underscores the sensitive nature of religious discourse in Bharatiya politics and the careful balance leaders must maintain in addressing such issues. The debate over Gandhi’s remarks will continue, reflecting broader tensions within the country’s political landscape.