BJP accuses Rahul of belittling country
Seeks apology while accusing Congress chief of justifying terrorism at an event in Germany
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday accused Congress chief Rahul Gandhi of justifying terrorism and belittling India in his address at an event in Germany, and demanded an apology from him.
Citing the example of Daesh to say that exclusion of a large number of people from the process of development could lead to creation of terrorist groups, Gandhi had accused the Narendra Modi-government at the centre of excluding Dalits and minorities from the development narrative.
“This could be a dangerous thing. After the US attacked Iraq in 2003, they brought a law that stopped a particular tribe in Iraq from getting jobs in the government and in the army. It seemed like a very innocuous decision at that time. But it resulted in a large number of people joining insurgency that fought the US and caused massive casualties. That insurgence slowly entered empty spaces. It entered the empty space in Iraq and in Syria and then it connected with a horrific idea called ISIS [Daesh],” Gandhi said addressing a gathering at Bucerius Summer School in Hamburg on Wednesday.
Reacting to this, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “I do not understand the logic behind Rahul Gandhi’s threat. This is a country that has rejected the idea of ISIS [Daesh] and earlier the idea of Al Qaida as well. I do not understand the meaning of this threat — if you do not do this, that will happen. In fact, he or the Congress party should not say anything that will encourage such forces.”
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra also flayed Gandhi for his remarks. “Horrified to hear Congress President Rahul Gandhi justifying the formation of ISIS [Daesh] in Syria and giving out a veiled threat that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi doesn’t give vision to India then soon someone else would give the vision. Unbelievable. He is a PM aspirant,” Patra said.
Explanation sought
He asked for Gandhi’s apology for belittling India. “I seek explanation from Rahul Gandhi on his comments on a range of issues. He justified terrorism. He blamed Indian culture for violence against women. He left no opportunity to belittle India and to present it in a bad light. We need explanations from him,” Patra added.
The BJP spokesperson said nothing could be more frightening than anyone trying to justify terrorism.
He said that Gandhi’s speech in Germany was “full of lies and deception.”
In his address, Gandhi had said, “BJP government feels Dalits, tribals, poor farmers and minorities should not get the same benefits as the elite. This is leading to widespread joblessness and anger.”