Rajnath Singh, Piyush Goyal Flag Rahul Gandhi's Comments In Parliament, Demand Apology

The reverberations of Rahul Gandhi’s dismissing Indian democracy and calling for foreign intervention in the country's internal matters were felt in the Parliament today. 

Defence Minister and Deputy Leader of the Lok Sabha Rajnath Singh criticised Gandhi for his comments, which he said had attempted to defame India on foreign soil.

He said that Gandhi seeking foreign intervention in the country's internal affairs should be condemned unequivocally. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi echoed Singh's sentiments, asking where democracy was when fundamental rights were trampled during the Emergency and when an ordinance approved by the Union Cabinet was torn by Gandhi during the UPA government.

Congress members protested leading to the Speaker adjourning the House until 2 pm.

Piyush Goyal, the Leader of the House and Union Minister, raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, too. Goyal demanded an apology from Gandhi for showing Indian media, judiciary, Election Commission, and army in poor light.

Without taking his name, Goyal condemned Gandhi's remarks, calling them shameful and false. He said the house must condemn such statements, adding that unless he apologises the country will not forgive him.

Goyal noted that when the world is hailing India for its democratic ethos, Gandhi tried to undermine India's democracy. He said that Gandhi needs to apologise to the nation and underlined the fact India, in fact, is the "mother of democracy".

With 2024 general elections next year, Gandhi's unabashed cititcism of the democratic set-up in United Kingdom have raised doubts about his intentions.

(with inputs from PTI)