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Rahul Gandhi targeted BJP's politics of hatred, not Hindus: AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang defends LoP's remarks
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Malvinder Singh Kang on Tuesday defended Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's remarks during the Motion of Thanks to President Draupadi Murmu for her address to the joint sitting of Parliament. Kang stated that Gandhi's comments targeted the politics of hatred practised by the BJP, not the entire Hindu community.
"Rahul Gandhi spoke in Parliament about the politics of hatred done by the BJP, not the entire Hindu community. If they (BJP) continue to have the same attitude, then they won't have even 40 seats as the people of our country will never accept hatred and arrogance," Kang told ANI.
During his speech in Lok Sabha on Monday, Rahul Gandhi 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 Gandhi's remarks.
The BJP leaders accused Gandhi of "speaking lies, misleading the House, and terming the entire Hindu community violent." The Congress responded with counter-allegations against the Modi government.
Rahul Gandhi invoked Lord Shiva, Prophet Mohammad, Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, Lord Buddha, and Lord Mahavir, stating that he had taken the idea of fearlessness from their teachings.
Several portions of Gandhi's maiden speech as Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, which targeted the central government over various issues including minorities, the NEET row, and the Agnipath scheme, among others, have been expunged from the records of Parliament on the orders of the Speaker.
The expunged portions included his comments on Hindus, PM Narendra Modi, the BJP, and the RSS, among others. Among the expunged remarks were his accusations against the BJP of treating minorities unfairly and perpetrating violence. Portions of Gandhi's remarks on industrialists Adani and Ambani and the Agniveer Scheme were also expunged.
Dismissing Gandhi's claims of violence against minorities, Dilip Mandal, a prominent Dalit voice, claimed that the last decade was the "most peaceful time for India since independence" compared to the governance under the Congress party.
"During his address, Rahul Gandhi made an objectionable statement that a lot of atrocities are happening against Muslims and Christians in India. I believe that the numbers don't suggest this. The last 10 years have been the most peaceful time for India after independence if you see the numbers," Mandal told ANI.
"During the Congress regime, so many riots used to happen. If you compare that to the last 10 years, only two major communal riot incidents have happened, in Delhi and Manipur. So the scale has reduced. Riots don't last long now," he said.
Mandal alleged that Gandhi's remarks were an attempt "to scare investors" and added that the Congress party is "again trying to appease" Muslims.
"This is an attempt to scare investors and it will affect India. Congress is again trying to appease Muslims. He is thinking of getting the Muslim votes, especially the Muslim votes of Bihar and UP, from SP and RJD," Mandal said.