Truth can be EXPUNGED only in Modiji's world, not in reality: Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has taken a strong stance against the expunction of his recent speech in the Lok Sabha, arguing that the truth cannot be erased. Following conclusion of the proceedings in the Lok Sabha, on his way out, he was speaking to reporters outside the house. He said that truth can only be expunged in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's world. “Truth can be expunged in Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s world, but not in reality,” he asserted.

मोदी जी की दुनिया में सच्चाई एक्सपंज हो सकती है.

लेकिन असलियत में सच्चाई एक्सपंज नहीं हो सकती है.

: नेता विपक्ष श्री @RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/lST1QWK2YX

— Congress (@INCIndia) July 2, 2024

Rahul Gandhi ignites firestorm inside BJP members

Rahul Gandhi's speech on Monday ignited a firestorm among BJP members due to his controversial comments on Hinduism and the Agnipath scheme. Portions of his speech criticizing the NEET exam and the Agniveer scheme were removed from the official parliamentary record, prompting a heated response from Gandhi.

Accusing selective expunction

“I said what I had to say, that is the truth. They can expunge as much as they want. Truth is truth,” Gandhi reiterated on Tuesday. He has called for the restoration of the expunged sections of his speech and accused the Lok Sabha Speaker of "selective expunction" and violating parliamentary norms.

“I also wish to draw attention to the speech of Anurag Thakur, which was full of allegations; however, surprisingly only one word has been expunged! With due respect to your good self, this selective expunction defies logic,” Gandhi wrote in a letter to the LS speaker.

हिंदुस्तान डर का देश नहीं है।

हमारे सभी महापुरुषों ने अहिंसा की बात की, डर मिटाने की बात की।

नरेंद्र मोदी, भाजपा और RSS पूरा हिंदू समाज नहीं हैं- जो हिंसा और नफ़रत फैलाता है, वो हिंदू हो ही नहीं सकता। pic.twitter.com/v2BaEcQRTS

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 1, 2024

"When I shook your hand, you stood straight and when Modi ji shook your hand, You bowed down". - Rahul Gandhi to Speaker OM Birla. pic.twitter.com/2bhBmvwtzE

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) July 1, 2024

Expunged parts not in violation of House rules, says Gandhi

Gandhi further argued that the expunged parts of his speech do not violate Rule 380, which governs the expunction of parliamentary records. He emphasized the importance of freedom of speech for MPs, underscoring their right to raise public concerns in the House. “Taking off from records my considered remarks goes against the very tenets of parliamentary democracy,” he stated.

NDA minister want Rahul's speech expunged

The controversy has heightened political tensions, with the BJP accusing Gandhi of spreading lies and insulting Hindus. Union Minister Chirag Paswan demanded that Gandhi’s entire speech be expunged, claiming it hurt the majority of the country's population and contained incorrect information and personal attacks on the Prime Minister.

In contrast, Gandhi's allies defended his remarks, asserting that he harbored no ill intent towards the Hindu community. SP MP Awadhesh Prasad noted, “He had no ill intent towards Hindus but the Speaker has the right to expunge the statements which are not in accordance with the Constitution.”