BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of attempting to divide the country along caste and religious lines during his recent trip to the United States. Patra’s remarks came in response to Gandhi’s statements made abroad, which the BJP MP deemed as harmful to India’s image.
“Rahul Gandhi’s arrogance as Leader of the Opposition is not just evident in Parliament, but his foolishness was also on full display in America,” Patra said during a press conference. He further accused the Congress leader of portraying India in a negative light on foreign soil, describing his actions as “treason.”
“He made divisive comments about caste and religion while in the US, including a harsh remark about Sikhs. This is treason, and using a word like ‘stupidity’ is appropriate here,” Patra asserted.
The BJP leader also took a jab at Gandhi’s hesitation when asked about the meaning of the ‘A’ in the acronym of the opposition alliance, INDIA, during an event in the US. “After a brief pause, Rahul Gandhi said it stands for ‘Alliance,’ but it seemed like he was confused whether ‘A’ stood for appeasement, apraadh (crime), or arrogance,” Patra quipped.
Patra continued by linking Gandhi’s hesitation to what he called the opposition alliance’s key characteristics. “In Bengal, ‘A’ stands for ‘apraadh’ due to TMC’s crime record, in Himachal Pradesh, it stands for Congress’ appeasement politics, and for the arrogance displayed by Congress and its allies in dragging institutions like the Chief Justice of India into political discussions,” Patra remarked.
Shifting focus to a local issue, Patra condemned the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh for its handling of the protests in Shimla over the alleged illegal construction of a mosque in Sanjauli. He accused the Congress of appeasement politics, claiming that authorities have failed to act against the illegal mosque despite numerous court notices.
“Hindu groups and ordinary citizens are protesting the illegal construction of a mosque, but Congress continues to indulge in appeasement. The municipal court has served 45 notices demanding proof of the mosque’s legality, but no documents have been provided. Meanwhile, the Congress remains silent,” Patra said.
The BJP MP further suggested that Gandhi’s recent meeting with US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a vocal advocate for minority rights, reflects his bias in favor of illegal religious structures. “If Rahul Gandhi is meeting Ilhan Omar, it’s no surprise that he would support illegal mosques while opposing protests by Hindus,” he concluded.