"Unfortunate that Rahul Gandhiji's statements are being distorted": Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi
New Delhi: A day after political chaos emerged over Congress leader and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's remarks in the Parliament, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Tuesday said that it is "unfortunate" that the former's statements are being "distorted".
In a conversation with ANI, Chaturvedi said, "First of all, he did not deliver such statements. He talked about those who masquerade as Hindus. There is a huge difference between the BJP and us. They use the Hindu religion for the sake of their politics. We have faith in the Hindu religion. So, it is unfortunate that his statements are being distorted."
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader further stated that the Congress leader had made it clear that the BJP and the RSS are not equal to the entire Hindu community.
"I think Rahul Gandhiji made it clear that the BJP and the RSS are not equal to the entire Hindu community", she said.
After Rahul Gandhi's remarks against the central government led by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) created a political uproar in the country, several portions of his maiden speech were expunged from the records of the Parliament.
The portions expunged include his comments on Hindus and PM Narendra Modi-BJP-RSS among others.
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.
The NDA leaders accused the Congress MP "of speaking lies, misleading the House and terming the entire Hindu community violent". The Congress hit back with counter-allegations against the Modi government.
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.PM Modi slammed Rahul Gandhi during his speech.
"Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter," the Prime Minister said.
However, Gandhi supported his statement by clarifying that the BJP and the RSS are not representative of the entire Hindu community.
Congress leader Renuka Chowdhary, while speaking to ANI, backed Gandhi's remarks stating, "Whatever he said was true. Being a Hindu, I'm saying that a true Hindu is never violent. They (BJP) do whatever they want."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reply to the debate on 'motion of thanks' on the President's address in the Lok Sabha later today.
