BJP terms Rahul Gandhi a ‘Chunavi Hindu’

 

New Delhi: Describing  former Congress president Rahul Gandhi a “chunavi Hindu”, the BJP on Monday accused him  of questioning the existence of Lord Ram and alleged that "petty politics" of the Congress leader and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and their "inciting" remarks have played a role in the recent violence in several states during Ram Navami processions.

The BJP  attack came after communal clashes broke out in Himmatnagar and Khambhat cities of Gujarat during Ram Navami processions, leaving one person dead, and also violence in the JNU campus over alleged serving of non-vegetarian food on the festival.

On Monday,  Rahul  urged all Indians to stand together to secure a just and inclusive India, saying hate and violence are weakening the country.  The Congress leader   also spoke about his conversation with a Dalit youth who had tried to commit suicide after violence against Dalits in Una in Gujarat.  Citing the conversation, he reportedly  said, "If my sister had been assaulted I would have stabbed and killed her tormentor before dying," he added.      

Speaking to newspersons , BJP’s national  spokesperson Sambit Patra described  Rahul  a "chunavi Hindu" and alleged that he pretends to be a Hindu. The BJP  leader thereafter went on asking if  Rahul does not believe in reincarnation, then how can he believe in Ram.

Patra said the purported conversation of Rahul (with dalit) showed  that the Congress leader  has faith neither in the Constitution nor in the judiciary, he said.

On violence in a number of states during Ram Navami processions, he said it is natural that such incidents will happen when senior leaders like Rahul and Thackeray make  remarks  linked  to their "appeasement" politics.

On  Rahul  claiming that he had no interest in power despite being born in its midst, the BJP spokesperson said these remarks are aimed at "provoking" people and "questioning" Ram's existence underline his desperation.

The  “family”  can go to any extent to get power, he alleged.

"The way some leaders are questioning the existence of Lord Ram and are inciting people... This should not have happened. Rahul Gandhi seems to be unable to tolerate that people in India have faith in Lord Ram. This shows the character of the Congress," he said.

On Rahul being  termed as  "janeu-dhari Hindu", Patra said that by "attacking" Ram's existence, the Congress leader had shown himself to be someone who pretends to be a Hindu for electoral benefits.

Patra also condemned Thackeray for his jibe at the BJP that what issue the ruling party would have raised if Lord Ram was not born. Opposition leaders can find thousands of reasons to attack the BJP but this is "petty politics”, he said. (Agencies)