On Monday, the Congress criticized the BJP for alleging that Rahul Gandhi encouraged violence against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress labeled this accusation as “cheap politics” and emphasized that leaders’ security should not be trivialized.
On July 14, the BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of inciting violence against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This accusation came as the party targeted the Leader of the Opposition in the wake of an attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
BJP’s IT department head Amit Malviya dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s condemnation of the attack on Donald Trump as insincere. Malviya alleged that Gandhi often incites and defends violence against Prime Minister Modi, whom he has defeated in multiple elections. He also reminded that under Congress, the Punjab Police compromised the Prime Minister’s security by leaving his convoy stranded on a flyover.
Amit Malviya shared past remarks from Rahul Gandhi, highlighting how Gandhi has repeatedly used similar rhetoric against Prime Minister Modi, calling him a “dictator” and drawing parallels with Donald Trump’s critics, including U.S. President Joe Biden. Malviya noted that Gandhi and other critics argue that Modi poses a threat to democracy, echoing the Opposition’s frequent claim that the Indian Constitution is in danger under Modi’s leadership.
He stated that Indian democracy has withstood attacks from the global Left, leading to Prime Minister Modi’s third term in office. He argued that caste, much like race in America, was exploited to create divisions within Indian society. Malviya emphasized that demonizing opponents by labeling them as dictators is a deliberate tactic, originating from influential global entities who struggle to control democratically elected leaders. He also accused Rahul Gandhi of seeking foreign intervention in India’s elections but ultimately failing to achieve his objectives.
Responding to the BJP’s accusations, Pawan Khera, head of the Congress’ media and publicity department, criticized the use of “cheap politics” concerning the security of leaders. He reminded that the Congress party has suffered significant losses, including Mahatma Gandhi to right-wing extremists, two prime ministers to terrorists, and an entire leadership in Chhattisgarh to left-wing militants, all while under BJP’s governance.
Pawan Khera accused Prime Minister Modi and the BJP of inciting public hostility against the Congress leadership by spreading malicious falsehoods about Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and their family. He claimed that these actions were part of a broader campaign to undermine the Congress party.
Khera also pointed out that Modi had inexplicably withdrawn the SPG security provided to their leaders.
This discourse arose after reports surfaced of an alleged assassination attempt on ex-U.S. President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania last Saturday. Trump, with blood on his ear, was quickly taken off the stage. The shooter was apprehended, and the Secret Service was investigating the incident.
It’s crucial for the opposition to keep the government in check, a role India has seen neglected recently. While Malviya rightly pointed out that Rahul Gandhi shouldn’t spread falsehoods about the ruling party, the BJP has also been guilty of similar actions. Both parties’ chiefs have received warnings from the Election Commission in the past.
One key difference between India and the US lies in their gun laws. The Arms Act mandates that carrying firearms without a license results in imprisonment and fines. Possessing firearms, knives, or swords longer than nine inches also requires a license issued by district authorities. An amendment in 2016 made arms license applicants undergo training in safety and handling, with permits issued within 60 days upon completion.
A 2019 amendment aimed to restrict the number of legally owned firearms in India. It also implemented severe penalties for unauthorized possession and irresponsible use of firearms, carrying potential punishments of up to two years in prison, a fine of Rs 1 lakh, or both. Additionally, manufacturing illegal firearms could lead to life imprisonment.
