Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader, arrived in India on Wednesday. He left on a Bharat Jodo high, but now finds himself embroiled in a controversy over his “democracy under attack” remarks, which the BJP has used to corner Congress leaders.
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in London that India’s democracy was under attack and that the government turned off microphones when contentious issues were raised by Opposition MPs in Parliament sparked outrage in India.
The BJP has sought an apology from Rahul Gandhi, the Congress MP from Wayanad, for his remarks, and the controversy has rocked Parliament, with both Houses failing to conduct any significant business on the first two days of the Budget session’s second leg.
BJP leaders have questioned Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the Lok Sabha after he claimed in the UK that MPs were not being allowed to speak in Parliament.
He was also not present when opposition leaders began a march from Parliament House to the ED headquarters on Wednesday to submit a memorandum on the Adani-Hindenburg issue. The opposition parties want the ED to look into the matter.
On February 28, Rahul Gandhi departed for London to begin what was then reported to be a week-long tour. His trip to the United Kingdom lasted much longer.
The BJP has accused Rahul Gandhi of maligning India on foreign soil and seeking foreign intervention since his lectures in the United Kingdom.
“Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the lies that became the foundation of his (Rahul Gandhi’s) conversation in England were numerous. He claimed that he did not have access to Indian universities or conversations. That, for him, signalled the end of democracy,” Smriti Irani stated.
“Every Indian citizen demands that the Indian Parliament apologise. It is disgraceful that Rahul Gandhi is absent from Parliament rather than appearing and apologising for his rant against India “He stated.
However, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said on Wednesday that Rahul Gandhi should apologise for his remarks in the UK.
With the Congress refusing to back down in the face of unrelenting BJP attacks and Rahul Gandhi returning to India after a fortnight, all eyes will be on the Wayanad MP and how he handles the situation.
