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Video Editor: Sandeep Suman
Launching a blistering attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, on Monday, 23 April, said the the country could burn, girls may be raped, and the rights of Scheduled Castes and minorities be under threat, but Modi was merely interested in becoming the prime minister again.
Speaking at the Congress’ ‘Save the Constitution’ event in New Delhi's Talkatora stadium, here are the main points on which Gandhi went full throttle against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
1. On Parliament Logjam
Rahul Gandhi said the BJP was the one who was responsible for the logjam in Parliament. Institutions such as the Supreme Court were being trampled on and Parliament had been shut down by the government, he alleged, adding that if he was allowed to speak for 15 minutes on a host of issues, including the Nirav Modi scam, Modi would “run away.”
2. On Rapes
Bringing up the recent rape cases of Kathua and Unnao, Gandhi said the country may burn and women may be raped, but PM Modi was only interested in becoming prime minister again.
With reference to the alleged involvement of a BJP MLA in the Unnao case, Gandhi said Modi's earlier slogan of 'Beti Bechao, Beti Padhao' has become 'Beti Bachao' from the BJP and its leaders.
3. On Supreme Court Divide
Four judges of the Supreme Court of India, in a historic move, came in front of the public to ask for justice to save the apex court from being subdued, Gandhi reminded the people attending the rally.
4. On Modi's 'Anti-Dalit Mindset'
Quoting from what he described was a statement by Modi, the Congress leader said the prime minister saw spirituality in sanitation work undertaken by the Dalits.
He said, “In his book Karmayog, PM Modi justifies manual scavenging by calling it a ‘spiritual experience’ for the Valmiki community. This speaks volumes about his anti-Dalit mindset.”
Atrocities against Dalits are increasing across the country, he added.
5. Economy on the Downward Path
Attacking the prime minister on employment and other promises made by him before the the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Gandhi said PM Modi would now come up with new promises for votes.
He said he had promised relief for the farmers but the only option for the farmers now have was to commit suicide. Policies like the GST and demonetisation has put the country’s economy on the backfoot.
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