Union Minister Smriti Irani slams Congress over Rahul Gandhi's 'murder of India' remark
The Hindu
Union Minister Smriti Irani said, “I condemn the behaviour that was displayed. This is the first time that someone talked about the murder of India, and Congress leaders were thumping desks.”
Union Minister Smriti Irani on August 9 came down heavily on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his "murder of India in Manipur" remark in Lok Sabha, saying this is for the first time in Parliamentary democracy that someone has made such a statement.
Speaking soon after Mr. Gandhi concluded his speech on the no-confidence debate in the House, the BJP member, who is Minister for Women and Child Development, said Manipur is an integral part of India.
"I condemn the behaviour that was displayed. This is the first time that someone talked about the murder of India, and Congress leaders were thumping desks," Ms. Irani said.
"Manipur is not divided, it is a part of this country. A member of his (Opposition) alliance said in Tamil Nadu that India only means north India. If he has the courage, Rahul Gandhi should comment on this... another Congress leader said there should be a referendum on Kashmir... Was the statement given as per the order of the Congress leadership that a leader talked about referendum in Kashmir?" she said.
"You are not India because you define corruption in India, you define incompetence... you are not India," the BJP MP said attacking the Congress.
Mentioning Mr. Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, she said, "I will not speak on joint pains... the valley that India has seen to be soaked in blood, (but) when they went there, they were playing with snow balls. That was possible after Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi abrogated Article 370." "He said he went on a yatra and gave assurance that they will restore Article 370... Article 370 will never be restored," Ms. Irani asserted.
She also recounted the horrors of the Emergency to attack the Congress, saying the party's history is smeared in blood. The BJP MP also raised the issues of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the unrest in Kashmir during Congress regimes at the Centre.
Lancet experts advocate for citizen-centric healthcare reforms in India, emphasizing its potential leadership role in the Global South.
Trump reiterates his claim of stopping the India-Pakistan war, despite India's denials of third-party intervention.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan highlights Indian start-ups' potential to tackle global challenges at CMRIT's Silver Jubilee celebrations.
Explore the decline of Bengaluru's BDA complexes and the implications of their upcoming redevelopment on community spaces and services.
EU lawmakers suspend U.S. trade deal negotiations amid protests over Trump's Greenland acquisition demands and tariff threats.
Congress faces opposition from BJP and JD(S) in a stormy session over the controversial VB-G RAM-G job scheme reforms.
Five-year RI for autorickshaw driver in Sangareddy NDPS case
Kochi's new District Police Chief, Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, pledges to combat gangs, drug networks, and enhance traffic safety.
The 'Krushi Road Map' aims for 15% agricultural GVA growth through infrastructure support and technology adoption in Andhra Pradesh.
Final preparations for the International Theatre Festival of Kerala are underway, showcasing 23 diverse plays from January 25 to February 1.
Researchers at IIIT-H are building a system that can automatically identify food items on a plate.
Students encouraged to embrace education rooted in the Constitution during the 906th birth anniversary of Sri Nijasharana Ambigara Chowdaiah.
The heat of the recently concluded local body elections spilled over into the first meeting of the newly elected council of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, as the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) questioned the propriety of the 20 councillors to whom the Kerala High Court had issued a notice regarding their oaths, participating in the council.