'First day, worst show, lies...': Here's how BJP leaders reacted to Rahul's speech in Lok Sabha

JP Nadda

Deriding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his 'Hindu' remark in the Lok Sabha, BJP President JP Nadda and other senior BJP leaders said a combination of lies and Hindu hatred marked the Congress scion's speech in the lower house.

Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Kiren Rijiju accused Gandhi of inflicting "grave insult" on the Hindus by allegedly linking them with violence and spreading untruth. Rijiju said the ruling BJP has challenged many of the claims made by Gandhi in his speech in the Lok Sabha and has sought action from the Speaker.

Rahul will have to substantiate or tender an apology, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said, slamming his allegations on Agnipath scheme and compensation for the residents of Ayodhya during development projects there.

BJP Rajya Sabha member Sudhanshu Trivedi said the Congress has a history of insulting Hindus, as he cited former home ministers P Chidambaram and Sushil Kumar Shinde's alleged terrorism barbs for the religion.

Rahul's speech earlier this afternoon drew flak for his scathing attack on the BJP and accusing them of mixing religiosity with politics for electoral gains. Rahul's speech, which was hinted at the ruling dispensation and the RSS, was invariably extended to the larger Hindu community and was interpreted as accusing the community for their inclination towards violent activities.

Rahul- armed with a copy of the Constitution and photos of religious figures, including Lord Shiva, Prophet Mohammed, Jesus Christ, and Guru Nanak Singh - launched a fierce attack on the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, claiming neither truly represented all Hindus.

BJP led by PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Rajnath Singh hit back strongly to Rahul Gandhi's speech, accusing the Congress MP, and new Leader of the Opposition, of insulting all Hindus.

Here's how JP Nadda reacted to Rahul's speech through a series of tweets:

• "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," Nadda expressed in a tweet.

• "The Leader of the Opposition is now a 5 time MP but he has not learnt Parliamentary norms and neither does he understand civility. Time and again, he reduces the levels of discourse. His utterances towards the Chair today were in very poor taste. He owes and apology to the Chair for casting unsubstantiated aspersions on his integrity and personality," the BJP President wrote.

• "Rahul Gandhi Ji must immediately APOLOGISE to all Hindus for terming them as violent. This is the same person who was telling foreign diplomats that Hindus are terrorists. This intrinsic hate towards Hindus must stop," read Nadda's tweet.

• "The LoP BLATANTLY LIED on many counts including matters that concern our hardworking farmers and brave armed forces. He was duly fact checked by Union Ministers for FALSE claims on MSP and Agniveer. For his own cheap politics, he wont even spare our farmers and security forces," said Nadda.

• "Discussion on the President’s Speech is about healthy debate. The Opposition, in their misplaced triumphalism continues to be destructive not constructive. Never in the last 60 years has an opposition been rejected 3 times consecutively. They way they are going, they will beat their own record in the coming times," observed the BJP chief.