Rajnath Singh’s sharp ‘Gandhi surname’ attack on Rahul Gandhi over PM hug jibe

Defence minister Rajnath Singh has hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government’s foreign policy, calling them “petty and condemnable” and warning that such language could damage democratic discourse.Singh said he was particularly upset that the comments came from the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He accused Gandhi of lowering the dignity associated with the post and questioned whether such conduct was appropriate for someone holding a key constitutional position.“The remarks made by LoP Rahul Gandhi on PM Narendra Modi and India’s foreign policy yesterday are petty and condemnable. It is painful for me personally, too. In my long political life, I had never seen such indecent and unimaginable conduct from any LoP. Such conduct is a grave sign of a threat to a healthy democracy,” Singh said.The defence minister also defended Modi’s record as Prime Minister and his standing abroad, while arguing that political differences should not lead to what he described as disrespectful remarks.“Rahul Gandhi might have frustration with PM in his mind, but such indecent remarks are unacceptable, especially when PM Modi has been a Prime Minister who has brought prestige to India nationally and internationally, and paved the way for Viksit Bharat. ““In 12 years, working with full dedication, he did not take any leave. Such indecent remarks against such a PM pain every Indian,” he said.Singh then turned his criticism towards the Congress, questioning whether the party could continue to claim the legacy of several of India’s prominent leaders after Gandhi’s remarks.“I would also like to humbly tell the Congress party that after such language and conduct, can they have any claim over the legacy of Lal-Bal-Pal and Gandhi, Patel and Nehru, from Subhas Babu to Rajendra Babu and Shastri ji and Narasimha Rao ji to Pranab Mukherjee?” Rajnath Singh said.He further accused Gandhi of not only targeting Modi but also damaging India’s image and the dignity of the Leader of Opposition’s office.“With this conduct, Rahul Gandhi has not only insulted PM Narendra Modi but also the international prestige of India. He has shredded the dignity of the post of Lok Sabha LoP. I cannot even imagine that someone with the Gandhi surname can make such a shameful remark.”The exchange followed remarks made by Gandhi at the Congress’s Rachnatmak Congress National Convention in New Delhi on Thursday.Gandhi criticised the government’s approach to foreign policy and argued that India’s international relations should be driven by national interest rather than personal relationships between political leaders.“I don’t know where it came from; this idea got into their heads. I don’t know who put it there or where it came from, the idea that foreign policy means hugging politicians. I was young. We went to America. Since we’re talking about expressions, I’ll share this. We went to America. I was twelve years old. Priyanka, myself, my mother, and my grandmother – my grandmother was the Prime Minister. There was a state dinner – an official dinner. My grandmother and mother went to the official dinner,” he said.He added, “You aren’t just visiting a friend’s house. In this role, the Prime Minister of India doesn’t engage in mere friendship. They have no interest in friendship; their job is to protect the country.”Gandhi also accused the Modi government of damaging India’s foreign policy, using the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel as an example.“War broke out in Iran. For India – had it recognised its own strength and had its leader been someone like Indira Gandhi–this presented the greatest opportunity in the world. What kind of opportunity? Iran was our old friend, America was our friend, and Russia was our friend. We could have stepped up, become relevant, and leveraged these friendships. But what actually happened? Nothing of the sort. Instead, Pakistan stepped in and took our place; Pakistan became the mediator, while India and Modi-ji simply looked on,” he said.Rahul Gandhi claimed he receives “information directly from Modi ji’s office these days; there is a full-blown revolt going on inside”.He also referred to certain claims in videos on social media about China’s actions concerning patrolling along the LAC in a border area of Arunachal Pradesh.He also raised allegations concerning Chinese activity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh and accused the government of pressuring the media not to report certain claims.“In our patrolling areas–specifically in Arunachal–China blocked us from patrolling. They essentially said, ‘Look, all that is fine–it is indeed your land–but you cannot patrol here.’ Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and Narendra Modi have been completely deflated. They are calling up all the media editors, telling them, ‘Don’t publish this in your newspapers; suppress the story.’ They are causing direct harm to the country without a second thought,” he said.Gandhi also revisited the dispute over India’s handling of the border situation with China following the Galwan clash.