In a fiery session of the Lok Sabha, Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi, in his maiden speech as Leader of Opposition clashed with BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, over several contentious issues.
Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP-led government’s Agniveer scheme, alleging that it neglects the welfare of soldiers by denying them pensions and adequate recognition.
He also took aim at the NEET exam, accusing it of favoring affluent students over meritocracy, sparking calls for a dedicated parliamentary discussion.
Gandhi claimed that Agniveers are not recognized as ‘jawans’ and do not receive pensions, branding them as “use and throw laborers.” He argued that the scheme creates inequality among soldiers, with some receiving pensions and others not. Gandhi vowed that the INDI alliance would scrap the scheme if it comes to power.
Sharply responding to Gandhi’s allegations that the BJP promotes violence and horror, PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah called the remarks a serious matter and demanded an apology from Gandhi, stating that associating violence with any religion is wrong.
During the debate, Gandhi showcased images of religious leaders, including Lord Shiva, Guru Nanak, and Jesus Christ, to emphasize the opposition’s commitment to non-violence and fearlessness. Speaker Om Birla objected, citing parliamentary rules against displaying placards.
Criticizing the BJP for attacking the Constitution and targeting individuals who oppose the concentration of power and wealth, Rahul highlighted issues with the NEET exam, alleging it favors wealthy students and demanding a parliamentary discussion on the matter.
The session ended with strong objections from BJP members and calls for an apology from Gandhi, who continued to assert that the BJP does not represent the entire Hindu society.
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