Pushing false narrative: BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of politicising student protests
The BJP on Wednesday attacked Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of using students to further his political agenda and
The BJP on Wednesday attacked Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of using students to further his political agenda and of spreading a false narrative. The party's response came after Gandhi held Home Minister Amit Shah responsible for the alleged excesses against young protesters and said Shah lacked the courage to explain in Parliament what had happened to the students. Read Full Story BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra rejected Gandhi's allegations and urged youngsters not to be swayed by what he called a "bundle of lies". He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi "is yours and all of us are with you", and asserted that young people should remain fearless and continue to take part in movements when needed. Gandhi had made the remarks after meeting a group of students who took part in last month's protest demanding the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the paper leaks issue. The students had alleged police excesses during the July 20 Parliament march.
"I had earlier said with full responsibility that no bullet was fired. Since it's a very sensitive matter, I want to reiterate the truth that no shots were fired during the Sansad Chalo march on July 20." He added, "Rahul Gandhi is trying to play politics by firing from the shoulders of the youngsters. This is not right," Patra said. Patra said youngsters are the future of the country and that it was wrong to do politics using them. "The youngsters are not at fault. We too participated in protests when we were in school and college," he said. He added that youngsters must be "fearless" and should not be afraid to participate in movements whenever the need arises. Addressing the students who met Gandhi, Patra said, "To those children who were with Rahul Gandhi today, I would like to say with great affection: stay fearless and do not be afraid at all. We are the world's largest party, but you are our own.
The prime minister is yours, and all of us are with you." He also alleged that Gandhi was setting a "false narrative" and sowing seeds of division using youngsters because he was unable to create a political narrative on his own. During Gandhi's press conference, a woman said the police hit her on her private parts when she was protesting peacefully. She also said she wanted to clarify that she was not a Muslim, as many people presumed online and abused her even more. Responding to this, Patra said, "Be it Sharma or Khan, you are the daughter of India. The country progresses with 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Viswas, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Prayas'." He said the divisive agenda Gandhi was trying to push was "extremely wrong". On Gandhi's charge that Amit Shah does not come to Parliament, Patra said the Congress leader was not allowing the House to function. "The home minister reaches Parliament before we reach; he leaves after we leave, sometimes at midnight.
The BriefWire