Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, delivered a sharp critique of the central government in the Lok Sabha, regarding the Union Budget 2024, invoking historical and mythological references.
“Thousands of years ago, in Kurukshetra, six people trapped Abhimanyu in a ‘Chakravyuh’ and killed him. In my research, I found out that ‘Chakravyuh’ is also known as ‘Padmavyuh,’ which means ‘Lotus formation.’ The ‘Chakravyuh’ is shaped like a lotus.
Today, in the 21st century, a new ‘Chakravyuh’ has been formed, also in the shape of a lotus, symbolized by the Prime Minister who wears it on his chest. What was done to Abhimanyu is now being done to India – the youth, farmers, women, small, and medium businesses. Today, there are six people at the center of this ‘Chakravyuh’ – Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Mohan Bhagwat, Ajit Doval, Ambani, and Adani,” he asserted.
Following Speaker Om Birla’s intervention, Gandhi amended his statement, saying, “If you want, I will omit the names of NSA, Ambani, and Adani, and take just three names.”
“Atmosphere of Fear Pervades India,” Says Rahul
Rahul Gandhi further addressed the pervasive atmosphere of fear in India. “There’s an atmosphere of fear in India, and that fear has permeated every part of our country. In the BJP, only one man is allowed to aspire to be the PM. If the Defence Minister aspires to be the PM, it causes a big problem; there’s fear. This fear has spread throughout the country, and I ask myself, why is this fear spreading so deeply? Why are my friends in the BJP terrified, ministers terrified, farmers terrified, and workers terrified?”
He also referred to religious concepts, saying, “In my last speech, I spoke about Shiv ji’s concept of Ahinsa, where the trishool is placed behind his back and not held in hand. I spoke about the snake on Shiv ji’s neck and mentioned how all religions in our country propose the idea of non-violence, encapsulated in the phrase, ‘Daro Mat, Darao Mat’ (Do not fear, do not intimidate). There is also the idea of Abhay Mudra, which transmits the notion of affection and ahinsa to everyone else.”