Rahul Gandhi Blames BJP For 'Stoking Fire In Manipur'; Congress Leader's Bharat Mata Remarks Expunged After Uproar

In his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led goverment, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi repeatedly invoked the Bharat Mata while accusing the ruling party of promoting hate and division, which he believes has set the state and the country on fire.

Gandhi's controversial remarks about Bharat Mata in Manipur were expunged from House records late at night, following the Chair's orders.

These remarks were made during his participation in the Lok Sabha debate on the no-confidence motion.

Rahul Gandhi said, "Bharat represents the voice of our people, a voice that comes from the heart. And now, that voice is echoing in Manipur, which means that Bharat Mata is present in Manipur."

"You are not patriots, you do not love the country. Instead, you have acted against the country in Manipur," he declared, causing an uproar among the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members.

Gandhi further asserted, "You are not the saviours of Bharat Mata, but rather the offenders of Bharat Mata. I am speaking about the welfare of my motherland. I am speaking with respect. You have harmed my mother. One of my mothers (pointing to Sonia Gandhi seated in the front row) is present here, and the other has been hurt in Manipur. Until you put an end to violence, you are causing harm to my mother."

"During my recent visit to Manipur, I realised that the state has been divided and broken into two parts. Manipur, as it once was, no longer exists," he expressed.

Rahul Gandhi also mentioned that the Indian Army has the capability to bring peace to Manipur within a day.

However, he accused the government of not utilising the army because they prioritise their political agenda over the 'welfare of Manipur and Bharat Mata.'

The BJP members protested against Rahul Gandhi's remarks, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanding an apology.

However, Prime Minister Modi was not present in the House at the time of Gandhi's speech.

Gandhi used the Bharat Mata prop to emphasise his argument against the BJP's nationalism plank, focusing on the concept of "nafrat vs mohabbat" (hatred vs love).

He further discussed the ethnic clashes in Manipur and the communal violence in Nuh, Haryana in the same context.

During a nearly 30-minute speech, repeatedly disrupted by the treasury benches, he accused the BJP of pouring kerosene in Manipur and Haryana, igniting fires and burning the entire nation.

He also briefly mentioned his Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Hindenburg report on the Adani Group, which had caused disruptions during the Budget session.

Earlier, during the commencement of his speech, Gandhi expressed, "When I last spoke, perhaps I caused some discomfort by focusing so much on Adani... (expunged) faced a little difficulty then," which sparked protest from the treasury benches.

"My speech today will not revolve around Adani. My friends in the BJP, there is no need to be afraid today. You can relax and remain quiet. My speech today will take a different direction. Although I may launch one or two criticisms, you can rest assured," Gandhi stated.

Drawing inspiration from Rumi, Gandhi shared, "Jo shabd dil se aate hain woh dil mein jaate hain" (the words that come from the heart touch the hearts). Today, I will refrain from attacking you extensively... I will speak from my heart. I will converse with you from the depths of my emotions, rather than my intellect."

Additionally, Gandhi recounted his visit to relief camps in Manipur and recounted his interactions with two women who had experienced immense suffering. One had witnessed the tragic killing of her son, while the other reportedly collapsed in front of him.