Lok Sabha adjourned after PM Modi fires salvo at Rahul Gandhi for his Hinduism remark

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indian parliament directly elected by people. At the conclusion of the inaugural session of 18th Lok Sabha, the prime minister replied to Motion of Thanks to the President's address and described Gandhi — now a Leader of Opposition — as "Balak Buddhi" (a grown man with a child's mind). 

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's speech in the parliament, the prime minister claimed that the Congress leader performed a "drama" to gain sympathy. 

"Balak buddhi has been crying... this person hit me, that person hit me, I was hit here, I was hit there... this drama is being played to gain sympathy," said PM Modi.

"A person with a child's mind doesn't know what to say and how to behave...he (Rahul Gandhi) sometimes winks inside the Lok Sabha... the country now knows him well. The entire country is now telling him -- tumse na ho payega (you won't be able to perform)," PM Modi added.

Earlier on Monday (July 1), Rahul Gandhi attacked the government over a host of issues, including the raging NEET row as well as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's adherence to the true tenets of Hinduism. But parts of his speech were expunged by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla from the parliamentary records.

Also watch | NDA vs I.N.D.I.A: Showdown in Lok Sabha, political fireworks over NEET paper leak case

PM Modi further said that Rahul Gandhi is out on bail in a corruption case.

“...A new drama has been started to gain sympathy but the country knows the truth that he (Rahul Gandhi) is out on bail in a case of embezzlement of thousands of crores of rupees. He has been convicted in a case of calling OBC people thieves. He had to apologize after making an irresponsible statement in the Supreme Court,” he said.

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's act of displaying a poster depicting Lord Shiva in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi said: "We will not be able to protect parliamentary democracy without taking seriously what happened yesterday. We should not ignore these acts by calling them childish, by considering them childish, we should not ignore them at all and I am saying this because the intentions behind this are not good and I also want to awaken the country," he added.

The prime minister said the Congress has been celebrating fake victory.

"I remember an incident, there was a boy who scored 99 marks and he used to show it to everyone. When people heard 99, they used to encourage him a lot. Then a teacher came and said why are you distributing sweets? He did not score 99 out of 100 but 99 out of 543. Now who will explain to that child that you have created a world record in failure," PM Modi said.

Also read | Rahul Gandhi targets Speaker Om Birla for ‘selective expunction’, demands restoration of speech

The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die after Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his reply to Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in the Lok Sabha.

Ahead of the adjournment, the Lok Sabha passed a resolution condemning opposition's disruptions during PM Modi's address.

(With inputs from agencies)