The BJP on Thursday accused Congress president Rahul Gandhi of belittling India in his address at an event in Germany. It alleged that he justified terrorism and “lied through his teeth” to attack the Modi government.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra sought explanations from the Congress chief on his comments on a range of issues, claiming that he presented India in a bad light by allegedly blaming its culture for violence against women.
Addressing a gathering at the Bucerius Summer School in Hamburg on August 22, Mr. Gandhi cited the example of Islamic State (IS) to say that exclusion of a large number of people from the development process could lead to the creation of terrorist groups in the world. He then accused the BJP government of excluding tribal people, Dalits and minorities from the development narrative and “this could be a dangerous thing”.
Mr. Patra said, “Rahul Gandhi left no opportunity to belittle India and to present it in a bad light. We need explanations from you.”
Mr. Gandhi tried to justify terrorism and gave justification for the IS, he said. “There cannot be anything more frightening and worrying,” he told reporters.
The BJP spokesperson said Mr. Gandhi’s submission was that minorities in India would “sell their soul” to the IS if jobs were not available for them, and this amounted to “denigrating” the community.
Mr. Gandhi had a poor opinion of India. He harped on China, even though India had become one of the leading countries in the world under the Modi government, Mr. Patra said.
‘Full of lies’
“His speech was full of lies and deception,” Mr. Patra alleged. He wondered if the figures Mr. Gandhi cited of China producing 50 jobs every 24 hours compared to 44 in India, were “made in 10 Janpath”.
The Congress chief’s mother Sonia Gandhi stays in 10 Janpath.
“You have no data and you do no preparation,” Mr. Patra said.
Seeks apology
Ms. Sonia Gandhi was the Congress chief for over 19 years and ruled India as a “proxy Prime Minister” for 10 years. “Wasn’t this Indian culture which helped her reach the top? Rahul and Sonia Gandhi should come out and explain as to how they can point fingers at this great Indian culture,” he said.
Mr. Patra sought Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s apology for his response to the issue of women's safety in India.
The Congress chief “lied through his teeth” in accusing the Modi government of striking down a law on atrocities against Dalits and tribal people, Mr. Patra said, pointing out that Parliament had in fact made the legislation more stringent by passing an amendment in its latest session.
Under the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, the Right to Food law was implemented in only 11 States while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance dispensation had brought it in force in all 36 States and Union Territories of the country, he said.
56% women workforce
The rural employment scheme (MNREGA) became a “monumental success” under the current government from a “monument to failure” it was under the UPA, he claimed, adding that over 56% of its workforce were women, its highest figure.
Beneficiaries of over 431 governments schemes were getting money amounting to over ₹4 lakh crore credited directly to their bank accounts, resulting in a saving of ₹90 crore, which used to “pocketed” by Congress leaders earlier, he said.
Mr. Patra also cited praise by international bodies of the reform measures undertaken by the Modi government to rebut Mr. Gandhi’s charges.