The Congress party escalated its criticism of the BJP-RSS on Monday, accusing them of conspiring to silence Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition. This accusation follows alarming remarks made by Printu Mahadev, a former state president of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which is affiliated with the RSS.
The Congress flagged a “chilling and heinous” death threat against Rahul Gandhi, initiated by Mahadev during a televised debate. Pawan Khera, Congress’ head of media and publicity, expressed outrage, stating, “A BJP spokesperson claimed that ‘Rahul Gandhi will be shot in the chest’ without any subsequent action taken against such a blatant threat.”
Khera criticized the politicization of Gandhi’s security. “Why is his safety treated as a political issue? This environment of fear must end,” he asserted, questioning the motives behind the escalating violence against the opposition leader.
In a powerful video statement, Khera described the situation as a conspiracy among individuals who are losing the ideological battle. “Those unable to counter ideas with their own are resorting to threats of violence,” he declared, highlighting Gandhi’s growing influence across India.
Khera added, “This conspiracy will be exposed. First, they attempted to silence him with insults; now they resort to threats.” He mentioned the allegations of electoral misconduct claiming that the BJP’s time in power is waning.
In a post on social media platform X, Khera compared the current climate of political threats to past atrocities, saying that every time the RSS struggles ideologically, “their foot soldiers resort to physical violence.”
Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal echoed these sentiments in a letter addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He demanded accountability against Mahadev’s incendiary remarks. “In a brazen act of violence incitement, Mahadev declared that ‘Rahul Gandhi will be shot in the chest’—this is not mere hyperbole,” said Venugopal.
Venugopal articulated that such deadly threats against Rahul Gandhi pose a danger not just to him, but also undermine the rule of law and the democratic principles that guarantee security to all citizens. He urged for a prompt and decisive response from the BJP-led government.
He stated, “The utterance of such poisonous threats by a spokesperson of the ruling party endangers Rahul Gandhi’s life and challenges our constitution.” Venugopal questioned Shah about the BJP’s stance regarding violence as a acceptable political discourse.
He insisted that a lack of action would be seen as complicity from the ruling party in fostering a culture of intimidation. “This threat isn’t merely a trivial remark; it signifies the toxic atmosphere that encourages violence against opposition leaders,” he noted.
Venugopal further asserted that the nation requires “immediate legal action” to convey a clear stance against violence in Indian politics. He emphasized that any failure to act could lead to a normalization of threats in political discussions.
The exchange between the Congress and BJP signifies a growing concern over political discourse in India and highlights the increasing tensions within the party landscape. As Rahul Gandhi garners attention with his advocacy for marginalized communities, the Congress aims to solidify his position against violence and intimidation.
