Protests Erupt Against Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks on Hindus in Parliament
New Delhi: Several right-wing groups convened a protest meeting on Tuesday in opposition to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s recent comments in the Lok Sabha, where he allegedly referred to BJP leaders as “not Hindus” due to their engagement in “violence and hate.”
Organized under the banner of Sarva Hindu Samaj, the protest at the Constitution Club saw participation from various groups including Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and others, alongside Hindu seers and volunteers.
The event, termed “Hindu Shakti Sangam,” was a response to what the organizers termed as continuous insults towards Hindu society and Sanatan Dharma both inside and outside Parliament. The Sarva Hindu Samaj emphasized that such remarks undermine the patience and brotherhood inherent within Hindu society.
While the statement did not directly name Rahul Gandhi, it underscored the need for anti-Hindu forces to respect the tolerance and unity of the Hindu community.
The controversy erupted following Gandhi’s outspoken critique of BJP leaders during a parliamentary session on July 1, where he accused them of perpetuating violence and hate. This sparked uproar among BJP members, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who rebuked Gandhi for allegedly denigrating the entire Hindu community.
In response, Gandhi clarified that his remarks were aimed at specific BJP leaders and organizations rather than the entire Hindu society, asserting that neither the BJP, RSS, nor Modi could claim to represent the entire Hindu community.
The protest reflects ongoing tensions over the portrayal of Hinduism in political discourse, highlighting divisions and sensitivities within India’s social and political landscape.
