Parliament Session 2024: Portions of maiden speech of Rahul Gandhi expunged from records on orders of Speaker
Parliament Session 2024: Several parts of Rahul Gandhi's maiden speech as Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha criticising the central government on issues such as minorities, the NEET controversy, and the Agnipath scheme have been removed from the official records of Parliament at the Speaker's directive.
The portions expunged include his comments on Hindus, and PM Narendra Modi-BJP-RSS among others.
"In Modi ji's world, truth can be expunged. But in reality, the truth cannot be expunged. I said what I had to say, that is the truth," Rahul Gandhi told reporters on Tuesday.
"They can expunge as much as they want. Truth is truth," the Congress MP said.
Rahul Gandhi in his speech in Lok Sabha on Monday afternoon, during the debate on the motion of thanks on President Draupadi Murmu's address accused the BJP and RSS of preaching and spreading violence and hatred. His remarks drew protests from the Treasury benches.
The Bharatiya Janata Party - led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh among others stood up to express their protest and rebut the Congress MP's remarks.
Rahul Gandhi invoked Lord Shiva, Prophet Mohammad, Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, Lord Budha and Lord Mahavir, saying that he had taken the idea of fearlessness from their teachings.
"If you look at the image of Lord Shiva, you will see that Hindus can never spread fear and hatred, but the BJP does so constantly. All of our great leaders and religions preach about fearlessness and nonviolence, but people who identify as Hindus only speak of violence, hatred, and falsehood. You are not Hindus, Aap Hindu ho hi nahi," Rahul Gandhi said.
The Congress MP also displayed placards with images of Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, and a quote from the Quran, emphasising that all religions, including Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism, value courage and fearlessness.
Among the portions of Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha speech that got expunged were his accusations against the BJP, stating that the party was treating minorities unfairly and perpetrating violence. Portions of the Congress MP's remarks on industrialists Adani and Ambani and on the Agniveer Scheme were also expunged
- With inputs from agencies
