Kiren Rijiju Hits Out at Rahul Gandhi Over Amit Shah Remarks, Says LoP ‘Trapped Himself Very Badly’
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday criticised Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah concerning the alleged police action during the July 20 student protests. Rijiju said Gandhi had “trapped himself very badly” by making what he described as incorrect allegations and using unparliamentary language.
Rijiju Questions Rahul Gandhi’s Role in Parliament
Rijiju said he was particularly disappointed that Rahul Gandhi did not make a substantive intervention during the Lok Sabha debate on the paper leak bill. He said the Leader of the Opposition should contribute meaningfully to parliamentary proceedings.
“We are extremely upset with Rahul Gandhi for two reasons. Number one, as a Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi could not speak even on one point in the paper leak bill.”
Rijiju also accused Gandhi of misleading the House by using what he called unparliamentary words and by making an incorrect allegation against Amit Shah over the alleged police action.
Rijiju Rejects Claim About Minister Ordering Firing
Rahul Gandhi had alleged that Amit Shah was either “culpable or incompetent” over the alleged police action during the July 20 protests and said the Union home minister should explain his role in Parliament.
Responding to the allegation, Rijiju said ministers do not issue orders for firing and claimed that such decisions fall under the authority of the magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate present at the location.
“How can he not know this basic thing? Rahul Gandhi has trapped himself very badly. I feel sorry for him.”
Rijiju said he expected the Leader of the Opposition to make substantive interventions in Parliament and described Gandhi’s performance during the proceedings as disappointing.
“As a parliamentary affairs minister, I always look forward to the leader of the opposition making some substantive intervention. But he failed it. So I am upset.”
Sambit Patra Also Rejects Rahul Gandhi’s Allegation
Earlier on Wednesday, BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra also rejected Rahul Gandhi’s claim that shots were fired at students during the July 20 protest.
Patra said there was no evidence or fact supporting the allegation and asserted that no shots were fired during the protest. He also rejected Gandhi’s claim that Amit Shah had ordered firing.
“No shots were fired, and no one gave any such order.”
Patra further said that decisions to order firing, when applicable, are taken by a magistrate. He argued that Gandhi’s allegation against Amit Shah was therefore false.
Jitendra Singh Criticises Rahul Gandhi
Union Minister Jitendra Singh also criticised Rahul Gandhi while replying to the Lok Sabha debate on the anti-paper leak bill. Singh questioned whether the Congress leader was aware of basic parliamentary norms and alleged that Gandhi had used unparliamentary language.
The remarks from Rijiju, Patra and Singh came amid a political dispute over the alleged police action during the July 20 student protests and Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the Union home minister.
Source: ANI
