'You're not Hindus': Rahul Gandhi accuses BJP of spreading 'violence and hate'

PM MODI COUNTERS: 'CALLING ENTIRE HINDU SOCIETY VIOLENT A SERIOUS ISSUE"

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Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a fierce attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha, accusing the ruling party's leaders of engaging in "violence and hate" round the clock, which drew massive protests from the treasury benches.

Armed with a copy of the Constitution and photos of religious figures, including Lord Shiva, Rahul Gandhi, in his first speech as the LoP, was sharp and unrelenting in his all-out attack on the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS.

He claimed that neither represented all Hindus and that they "spread fear and hatred." Prime Minister Modi rose twice to rebut Gandhi's remarks. "Calling the entire Hindu society violent is a serious issue," Modi said. His second intervention drew jeers from his rivals; PM Modi declared that the Constitution had taught him to respect the post of the Leader of the Opposition, now held by Gandhi.

The Congress leader's maiden speech as LoP reflected the aggression of his new role as he repeatedly took on the ruling party. Apart from PM Modi, at least five Cabinet ministers also interjected during Gandhi's speech, which lasted about an hour and 40 minutes, with Home Minister Amit Shah demanding an apology for painting the Hindu community as violent.

"It is not just one religion that talks about courage.

In fact, all our religions talk about courage," Gandhi said in the Lok Sabha. His speech was watched by his mother and Rajya Sabha member Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from the visitors' gallery.

Gandhi quoted Prophet Mohammad to highlight that the Quran also talks about fearlessness and said when our hands are raised for "dua," the "abhaya mudra" can also be observed in a way.