Rahul Gandhi slams PM Narendra Modi in parliament, says ‘you’re not a Hindu’

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in India's lower house of Parliament, Lok Sabha, on Monday (July 1) carried with him posters depicting Lord Shiva, and Sikh Guru Sri Guru Nanak Dev as he slammed the ruling BJP government for a "systematic and a full-scale assault".

Gandhi alleged that the assault on opposition leaders, including him, was ordered by the "Prime Minister of India". 

Speaking during a session of the 18th Lok Sabha, Gandhi claimed that there had been a "systematic and a full-scale assault on the idea of India, the Constitution and on the people who resisted the attack on the Constitution."

"Some of the leaders are still in jail," the Congress leader said.

"Anyone who resisted the idea of concentration of power and wealth, aggression on poor and Dalits and minorities was crushed," he stated, adding, "I was attacked by the order of Govt of India, by the order of the Prime Minister of India...The most enjoyable part of it was the 55 hours of interrogation by ED...".

Also read: Opposition MPs protest outside Parliament over Centre's 'misuse' of CBI, ED

Religion, courage, Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi  

Rahul Gandhi, giving the example of Islam and Sikhism, told the leaders that all religions talk about courage and underline that one should be fearless. He said that he was "happy and proud to be in opposition; for us, there is something more than power, it is truth".

Though Speaker Om Birla forbade Gandhi from showing a picture of Lord Shiva, he argued if you look at the image you would know that Hindus can never spread fear and hatred, but that the BJP spreads fear, and hatred 24/7.

"All our great men have spoken about non-violence and ending fear."

Slamming PM Narendra Modi, who was present in the parliament without directly naming him, Rahul Gandhi added, "But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth…Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (You are not a Hindu)".

(With inputs from agencies)