New Delhi, April 17 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday criticised Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for his veiled jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to "apologise to the country". Singh said that Gandhi's remarks are an "insult" to not only an individual but also the people of the nation.
An uproar broke out during a debate in the Lok Sabha following LoP Gandhi's 'magician' barb, purportedly aimed at the Prime Minister, while countering government’s defence of the three contentious Bills.
LoP Gandhi referred to a magician's show he watched during childhood, recalling how one failed trick marked the latter's end. His pointed remarks that the magician of Balakot, the magician of demonitisation, the magician of Sindoor, "has suddenly got caught", created a furore in the House.
The Defence Minister then objected to the remarks made by the LoP.
Rajnath Singh said, "The words that are being used by the Leader of the Opposition to refer to the Prime Minister of the country, I think it is very unfortunate. It cannot be condemned enough."
He emphasised that Narendra Modi has been made the Prime Minister by the "people of this country". "They have given that much strength to our party because of which he could become the Prime Minister," he said.
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Singh appealed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to expunge the remarks from the official record of proceedings. He further said, "Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the country."
The LoP’s repeated references to 'magician' also invited interventions from the Speaker and other BJP members.
Criticising Gandhi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Congress MP mocked 'Operation Sindoor' by calling it “magic” and therefore, insulted the Armed Forces as well as the country.
Moreover, the Congress leader said that the BJP knew that this Bill cannot be passed but the Prime Minister was trying to send two messages – first is about changing the electoral map of India and second is to send the message that he is “pro-women.”
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