Rahul Gandhi has insulted crores of Hindus: BJP leaders

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for making a controversial statement on Hindus during his maiden speech as the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

Addressing the House, Rahul Gandhi said: "Those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred and untruth..."

Reacting strongly, Home Minister Amit Shah said that by saying that Hindus commit violence, lie and spread hatred, Rahul Gandhi has "insulted crores of Hindus" and he should apologise for making the comment.

BJP National President J.P. Nadda, in a series of posts on X, severely criticised Rahul Gandhi, asserting that the Leader of the Opposition, now a five-time MP, has "not learnt Parliamentary norms" and neither "understands civility".

"First day, worst show! Lies + Hindu hatred = Rahul Gandhi Ji in Parliament. Third Time Fail LoP has a knack for agitated, flawed logic. His speech today has shown that neither has he understood the mandate of 2024 (his third successive loss) nor does he have any humility," said J.P. Nadda.

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare added: "This is the same person who was telling foreign diplomats that Hindus are terrorists. This intrinsic hate towards Hindus must stop... Time and again, he reduces the levels of discourse. His utterances towards the Chair today were in very poor taste. He owes an apology to the Chair for casting unsubstantiated aspersions on his integrity and personality."

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accused Rahul Gandhi of indulging in hypocrisy and said that his 'mohabbat ki dukaan' is now exposed.

"Sheer audacity of LoP Rahul Gandhi to call everyone who calls himself Hindu as 'hinsak'/violent shows INC India's hatred and contempt towards Hindus. Also consistent with Hindu hate of his INDI Alliance partners."

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also said that Rahul Gandhi calling Hindus violent in the House is an insult to crores of Hindus.

"I strongly condemn such controversial and extremely shameful statement which violates the dignity of the Leader of the Opposition. Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the Hindu society for this," he said.

Union Minister For Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy labelled Rahul Gandhi's statement as "utterly shameful, disgraceful and demeaning" and said that the Congress leader should apologise to the entire Hindu community.

"The self-proclaimed defender of the Constitution and the electoral Hindu has revealed his true colours. His statement, labeling Hindus as a violent community, exposes Rahul Gandhi's and Congress' anti-Hindu agenda. This is not the first time Congress has insulted Hindus; earlier, they insulted Sanatana Dharma, and now, a direct attack on Hindus," he posted on X.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the proceedings of the Parliament are conducted on the basis of some rules and procedures besides also some healthy traditions.

"Whenever the President's address is discussed, on the basis of what I have seen in my long parliamentary life, I can say that no other topic is discussed at that time. I would also like to request all the respected members of the opposition that whatever topic you want to discuss, you may discuss it but only after the motion of thanks to the President has been passed in the Parliament," Rajnath Singh highlighted.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju also strongly condemned Rahul Gandhi's remarks.

"I condemn Rahul Gandhi Ji for terming Hindus as violent, hateful and untruthful community. He can't insult Hindus without any reasons," said Rijiju, who is also the Minister of Minority Affairs.