'Isn't it insulting...': Jyotiraditya Scindia slams Rahul Gandhi over 'langde ghode' remark

Jyotiraditya Scindia

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for using the term 'langde ghode' that was allegedly demeaning to people with disabilities (PwDs). He further reminded him that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has coined the word 'divyangjan' for them.

Scindia added that some people continue to use abusive language for the disabled and do not appreciate the Prime Minister for making changes to unwelcome terms. This came after Rahul Gandhi used the term in Bhopal during his visit to the city on June 3.

Gandhi used the term in the context of removing dead wood and bringing fresh blood into the Congress to make it fit for fighting in Madhya Pradesh.

"I wish to make those who use such abusive understand that it is our Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had changed the word 'viklang' and coined the term 'divyangjan' for specially-abled persons. It means those who have special blessings of God. Instead of revering him, they are using abusive language," Scindia said, without naming Rahul Gandhi.

"Is this not an insult to divyangjan," Scindia asked, while criticising Rahul Gandhi.

On Wednesday, the Divyang Adhikar Mahasangh, a Jaipur-based advocacy group, formally registered a protest over Rahul's usage of the term. The group wrote to the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities, Government of India, and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), on Wednesday.

Mahasangh national president Hemant Bhai Goyal said that Rahul, while addressing the Congress meeting in Madhya Pradesh, disparagingly said he was adding a third category of horses – the "langda ghoda" (lame horse) – to the known two types used for races and weddings.