Hours after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's no-holds-barred attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lok Sabha on Monday, July 1, accusing the leaders of the ruling party of dividing people on communal lines, several portions of his statements were expunged from the Parliament.
Rahul Gandhi's speech on Hindus drew massive protests from the treasury benches, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi slamming the Congress leader for calling the entire Hindu community violent.
Portions of Rahul Gandhi's speech in Lok Sabha targeting the central government over various issues, including minorities, NEET row and Agnipath scheme among others, have been expunged from the records of the Parliament on the orders of the Speaker.
The portions expunged include his comments on Hindus, and PM Narendra Modi-BJP-RSS, among others. Portions of the Congress MP's remarks on industrialists Adani and Ambani and on the Agniveer Scheme were also expunged.
Besides Modi, who intervened twice, at least five cabinet ministers interjected during Rahul Gandhi's speech that lasted for about an hour and 40 minutes, with Union home minister Amit Shah demanding an apology from him.
"It is not just one religion that talks about courage. In fact, all our religions talk about courage," Rahul Gandhi said in his debut speech as the leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha that was watched by his mother Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from the visitors' gallery.
The Congress leader was speaking during the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the president's address to a joint sitting of Parliament.
Rahul Gandhi also quoted Prophet Muhammad to highlight that the Quran talks about fearlessness.
Holding up pictures of Lord Shiva, Guru Nanak, and Jesus Christ, Rahul Gandhi referred to Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism and Jainism to underline the importance of fearlessness. He also cited the attributes of Lord Shiva and teachings of Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, Buddha, and Mahavir to state that all religions and great people of the country have said "daro mat, darao mat (do not be scared, do not scare others)".
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