Rahul invokes Manusmriti to target BJP

During debate on 75th year of Constitution, LOP in the Lok Sabha accuses the ruling party of spreading hatred

- PREETHA NAIR

LEADER of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a broadside against the BJP-RSS, saying that Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar considered Manusmriti superior to the Constitution.

Speaking at the special debate to mark the 75th year of the adoption of the Constitution, Gandhi cited Savarkar's quotes that there was "nothing Indian about our Constitution."

"I want to start my speech by quoting what the supreme leader, not of the BJP but of the modern interpretation of the ideas of the RSS about the Constitution of India. The worst thing about the Constitution is that there is nothing Indian about it. Manusmriti is the scripture most worshipable after the Vedas of our Hindu nation... For centuries, this book has codified our nation's spiritual and divine march. Today, Manusmriti is law. These are the words of Savarkar," said Rahul.

The Congress MP sought to know if the BJP is in support of its leader's ideas. "I want to ask the BJP if you support your leader's words. Because when you speak in Parliament about protecting the Constitution, you are ridiculing Savarkar, abusing Savarkar, and defaming Savarkar," he said.