AMN / JAIPUR
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that India was a country of Hindus and not Hindutvavadis, who can do anything to remain in power.
At a rally in Jaipur, Rahul Gandhi said: “This is a country of Hindus and not Hindutvavadis. Since 2014, it’s the Hindutvavadis who are in power, and not Hindus. We need to oust them and bring the rule of Hindus.”
If there is inflation in the country and there is suffering, then this has been done by the Hindutvavadis, Gandhi said.
“The country never has been in such a situation,” he said. “The entire economy is in hands of 4-5 capitalists. This country is not being run by the public but by a few capitalists.”
Gandhi said in the country’s politics today, there is a competition between two words — Hindu and Hindutva. They are two completely different words, he said. “I am a Hindu but not a Hindutvavadi. Mahatma Gandhi was Hindu, and Godse was Hindutvavadi,” he said.
A Hindutvavadi spends his entire life for power and he has nothing to do with truth, the Congress leader said. A Hindu is one who is not afraid of anyone, embraces everyone and respects all religions, he said. He faces his fears and does not step back, and swallows fear like Lord Shiva, Gandhi said. Whereas Hindutvavadis bow in front of fear, which creates hatred in their hearts, he added.
On the other hand, love develops in the heart of Hindus as they face fear, Gandhi said. “You can read any (Hindu) scripture, be it Ramayana, Maharabharata, Gita or Upanishads. Tell me where is it written that the poor should be beaten up, where is it written that a marginalised person should be oppressed,” he asked rhetorically.
The Lok Sabha member from Wayanad said 1% of the country’s population holds 33% of its wealth, 10% population has 65% wealth, and 50% population has 6% wealth.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left only 6% money in the hands of 50% population,” Gandhi alleged. “Before Modi came to power, the unorganised sector in India was 52%, which after demonetisation, GST and corona has reduced to 20%.”
The Congress government in the past waived farmers’ loans because they are the backbone of the country, but Modi stabbed the heart of farmers, he said. “Modi stabbed them in their heart, but he did not stab from the front, but from the back, because he is Hindutvavadi,” Gandhi said. “When Hindu farmers stood up, Hindutvavadi said, ‘I apologise’.”
Sonia Gandhi was present at the rally but did not speak.