Hinduism issue: PM may respond to Rahul's remarks

New Delhi, July 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address on Tuesday, following Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s provocative remarks on Hinduism that sparked backlash from the BJP and its allies. The uproar began when Gandhi pointed to the Treasury Bench, stating, “those who call themselves Hindus talk about violence.” He also criticized the Centre for not meeting farmers’ demands and the ongoing NEET controversy.

As the Treasury Benches protested, Gandhi declared, “the BJP and the RSS are not the entire Hindu society… Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (You are not Hindus).” When Gandhi questioned, “why is the PM always serious?” Modi, who was present during the address, stood and replied, “Democracy and the Constitution teach me to take the Leader of Opposition seriously.”

Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from the Congress leader, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accused Gandhi of “misleading” the House on the Agniveer issue.

Gandhi delivered his maiden speech in the Lok Sabha, which lasted nearly 100 minutes on Monday. During his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Cabinet ministers intervened to respond to his remarks. The House erupted when Gandhi, critiquing the BJP, said, "those who call themselves Hindus talk violence... hatred... untruth 24 hours a day." Modi stood up and remarked, "This is a grave issue. Calling the entire Hindu society violent is a serious matter." Amid objections from the Treasury Benches, Gandhi clarified, "The BJP and the RSS do not represent the entire Hindu society... You are not Hindus."