NEW DELHI: Riding on the Supreme Court of India’s criticism of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his Indian Army remark and Chinese encroachment claim, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday launched a scathing attack on him and his party, Congress, demanding an apology for questioning the sacrifices of the country’s brave soldiers.
Amplifying the Supreme Court’s remark on Rahul Gandhi – “If you were a true Indian, you would never have made such statements!”, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that this was “the first time in the parliamentary history of the country, the top court has had to make such a stern remark against the leader of the opposition.”
Pradhan further accused Gandhi and Congress of having “a history of insulting the army”.
“Whether it is the surgical strike or Operation Sindoor, they have questioned the sacrifices of our brave soldiers at every opportunity. Their loyalty is not to the nation but only to one family, which is why respect for the nation is not even part of their fundamental thinking,” he said.
The minister also demanded an apology from Gandhi and his party Congress. “Today, the entire country is hurt by this anti-national mentality and expects an apology from Rahul Gandhi and Congress.”
His statement comes shortly after the Supreme Court strongly admonished the Leader of the Opposition for his remarks that “Chinese soldiers are beating up Indian Army personnel”.
Hearing a petition filed by Rahul Gandhi against an Allahabad High Court order upholding a Lucknow court summons issued to him in connection with a criminal defamation case over his Army remarks, the top court said that, being the LoP, he should speak in Parliament and not on social media.
“Why in a social media post and not in Parliament?” the Bench asked senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who was representing Rahul Gandhi.
The court also asked the Leader of the Opposition what credible material was behind his claim that China has acquired 2000 sq km of Indian land.
“How do you get to know when 2000 sq km was acquired by China? What is the credible material? A true Indian will not say this. When there is a conflict across a border, can you say all this? Why can’t you ask the question in Parliament?” the bench further questioned the Congress leader.
The defamation case, one of many filed against the Congress leader, pertains to a complaint filed by a former director of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
The complaint alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s December 16, 2022, remarks regarding the India-China border standoff were derogatory and defamatory towards the Indian armed forces.
Agencies
BJP rides on SC rebuke to target Rahul Gandhi, demands apology for ‘insulting’ Indian Army
