Rahul Gandhi Targets BJP Over Constitution, Adani, and Lateral Entry in Fiery Lok Sabha Speech
In a fiery address during the ongoing Constitution Debate in the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi fiercely criticized the BJP and its ideological foundations, quoting Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar to make his point. Gandhi began his speech by highlighting Savarkar’s controversial stance on the Indian Constitution, quoting his words about the Constitution being “un-Indian” and suggesting that the Manusmriti should replace it as the guiding text for India.
“I want to start my speech by quoting what the Supreme Leader, not of the BJP but of the modern interpretation of the ideas of the RSS has to say about the Constitution of India and about how he thinks India should be run,” Gandhi said, reading out Savarkar’s belief that the Constitution had nothing Indian about it and that Manusmriti should be revered above the Constitution. “This is what the fight is about,” Gandhi emphasized, asserting that while the Congress follows the Constitution, the BJP’s ideology is aligned with Manusmriti.
Gandhi continued to target the BJP over several policies, including the controversial lateral entry into government jobs, which he argued was harmful to the youth, backward classes, and the poor. “By bringing in lateral entry into government jobs, you are chopping off the thumb of the youth, backward class people, poor,” Gandhi stated. He criticized the government for failing to address the issue of paper leaks, saying that these actions were equivalent to “cutting off the thumb of the youth.”
Turning to the issue of business magnate Gautam Adani, Gandhi accused the government of giving undue advantages to Adani, which he claimed was damaging to small businesses across the country. He cited examples like the handing over of Dharavi to Adani, claiming that it would harm the small businesses operating there. “When you give Dharavi to Adani ji, you are cutting the thumbs of small businesses of Dharavi,” Gandhi said, also criticizing the government’s decision to hand over key infrastructure projects like ports and airports to Adani, which he argued was detrimental to honest businesses.
In a metaphorical reference to the marginalization of youth and marginalized communities, Gandhi drew a parallel between the way the youth practices for exams and the challenges they face under BJP policies. “Through lateral entry, you are cutting the thumb of youths, OBCs, and SCs,” he said. He also took aim at the Agniveer scheme, which he said undermined the aspirations of the youth, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Gandhi did not shy away from addressing the ongoing farmer protests, accusing the government of using force to suppress farmers’ demands for fair prices and MSP (Minimum Support Price). He condemned the use of tear gas and lathi charges against farmers outside Delhi, stating, “Today, you lobbed tear gas shells on farmers outside Delhi, you unleashed lathi charge on them. Farmers are demanding MSP, a suitable price. But you facilitate profits to Adani, Ambani and cut off the thumb of farmers.”
Rahul Gandhi’s speech resonated with his party’s ongoing criticism of the BJP’s policies and its ideological alignment with the RSS. His address was a sharp attack on the government, underscoring the Congress’s commitment to the Indian Constitution and the protection of the rights of the poor, the youth, and marginalized communities.
