Rahul Gandhi accuses government of fueling national unrest, from Manipur to Haryana
New Delhi, August 09: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce critique against the Narendra Modi government in Lok Sabha today, accusing them of orchestrating turmoil in Manipur and attempting to ignite strife in Haryana. This fiery statement came during the debate on a no-confidence motion against the BJP government, where Gandhi painted a grim picture of the country's situation.
Gandhi condemned the ongoing unrest in Manipur, which has tragically claimed the lives of over a hundred individuals, and he spared no words in his accusations against the ruling BJP. "The BJP has murdered India in Manipur and is now trying to set Haryana on fire," he proclaimed, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
#WATCH | Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "A few days back, I went to Manipur. Our PM didn't go, not even to this day, because for him Manipur is not India. I used the word 'Manipur' but the truth is that Manipur does not remain anymore. You have divided Manipur into two. You have… pic.twitter.com/QodCZnLHWs — ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2023
Addressing the Lower House, Gandhi emphasized the significance of India's unity and its heartwarming spirit. He expressed his concern that this essence had been extinguished in Manipur due to the ongoing conflicts. "You have killed that voice in Manipur. You have murdered Bharat Mata in Manipur. You are traitors," Gandhi asserted, alluding to the profound impact of the unrest on the nation's identity.
Drawing attention to the Prime Minister's absence from Manipur, Gandhi accused the government of ignoring the state's plight. "The Prime Minister has not gone to Manipur because he doesn't consider it a part of India. You (BJP) have divided Manipur," he declared, eliciting both protests and protests from the parliamentary members.
#WATCH | Congress MP Rahul Gandhi speaks on his Bharat Jodo Yatra; says, "...Initially, when I started (the Yatra), I had in my mind that walking 25 km is no big deal if I can run 10 km every day. Today, when I look at that - it was arrogance. I had arrogance in my heart at that… pic.twitter.com/QhFjtkZhLb — ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2023
Gandhi also pointedly commented on the government's approach to handling the unrest. He alleged that the government had the capability to deploy the Army and quell the violence in Manipur but had not taken effective action yet.
Employing a metaphor from the epic Ramayana, Gandhi likened the situation to the downfall of Ravan due to arrogance. "You have sprinkled kerosene everywhere, you have set fire to Manipur, you are now trying the same thing in Haryana," he charged, referencing the recent communal clashes in Gurugram and Nuh that resulted in six fatalities.
Gandhi's impassioned speech incited a raucous response in the House, with senior ministers demanding an apology from him.
In an earlier context, Gandhi shared his personal experience of embarking on the Bharat Jodo Yatra, a journey spanning from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu to Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. He recounted his initial confidence in his physical stamina, only to be humbled by the journey's challenges. "But this country does not tolerate arrogance. Within a few days, an old injury resurfaced, and I was in pain," he revealed.
Gandhi drew strength and inspiration from the people he encountered during his march, experiencing their struggles firsthand. He also shared his interactions with two women residing in relief camps established to aid those affected by ethnic violence in Manipur.
- With inputs from agencies
