Rahul Gandhi writes to LS speaker Om Birla amid ‘Hindu’ remark row: ‘While 1 Chair derives powers to expunge…’

Hours after significant portions of LoP Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha speech were expunged, the Congress leader asserted that truths may be obliterated in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's world but not in real life.

“In Modi ji's world, truth can be expunged. But in reality, the truth can't be expunged. I said what I had to say, that is the truth. They can expunge as much as they want. Truth is truth,” Gandhi told media persons in Parliament complex.

The Congress leader responded to questions about his remarks during the Monday discussion on the Motion of Thanks at the President's Address in the Lok Sabha.

During his first address as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi delivered a scathing critique of the BJP, accusing its leaders of fostering communal divisions.

‘Ground reality, factual position’

The Congress leader also wrote a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla about portions of his speech being expunged, saying the deleted parts do not fall under Rule 380. “Whatever I told the House in my speech was ground reality and the factual position.”

“I am writing this in the context of remarks and portions expunged from my speech during a discussion on Motion of Thanks on the President's Address on 1 July 2024. While 1 Chair derives powers to expunge certain remarks from the proceedings of the House, but the stipulation is only those kind of words, the nature of which have been specified in Rule 380 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha,” his letter read.

“I am, however, shocked to note the manner in which a considerable portion of my speech has been simply taken off from the proceedings under the garb of expunction. I am enclosing relevant portions of uncorrected Debates of Lok Sabha dated 2 July. I am constrained to state that the portions expunged do not come under the ambit of Rule 380. What I sought to convey in the House is ground reality, the factual position…,” he added.

BJP hits back at Rahul Gandhi

His comments sparked significant uproar from the ruling party's members and prompted an unexpected response from the prime minister, who condemned Gandhi for labelling the entire Hindu community as violent.

On Monday, JP Nadda — Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha — alleged the former Congress chief lied in the Parliament on many counts, including matters concerning the country’s “hardworking farmers and brave armed forces”.

“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,” Nadda wrote on X.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also criticized the Congress Party, alleging that it hypocritically attacks Hindus under the guise of promoting unity.

Jaishankar posted on X, “Who attacks Hindus while professing brotherhood to all. Who disparages the Indian Army’s bravery, while expressing concern for their welfare. Who tears up Cabinet decisions while preaching respect for the Constitution. Welcome to the politics of the Congress Party.”

BJP leader Kangana Ranaut recommended that the Congress leader should promptly undergo some "therapy sessions.

“Apart from all the irresponsible statements that Rahul Gandhi ji made in his first speech as the leader of opposition, he also mentioned that he is not one Rahul infact there are two of him, one will now live for the constitution and the other one …. The other one he has KILLED,” she said.

She said this is not a matter to be taken lightly; Rahul ji should seek therapy sessions immediately. 

“A lot of psychologists would agree that the pressure from the family/mother to be someone else other than who you want to be can give one such identity crisis,” she added.