What Did Sonia Gandhi Say That Sparked BJP's Fierce Response?

BJP's Strong Reaction to Sonia Gandhi's Remarks

New Delhi: On Saturday, the BJP criticized Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, for her comments regarding the party and the Modi administration. They urged her to remove her 'Italian lenses' to recognize India's significant advancements over the last twelve years.

The BJP also condemned Gandhi for defending the Emergency declared on June 25, 1975, asserting that her public relations efforts cannot obscure the reality.

Senior BJP figure Tarun Chugh responded to Gandhi's statements made prior to the release of her memoirs, accusing the Congress of a long history of dividing the nation through caste, religion, and vote-bank politics. He challenged her to address the various scandals that occurred during her party's governance, including the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the Bhopal gas tragedy.

Chugh claimed that Gandhi is struggling to accept the rise of Sanatan under the BJP-NDA leadership.

Gandhi has alleged that the past twelve years have severely harmed India's democratic fabric and institutions, suggesting that it will take time to restore the country's systems even after the Modi government ends.

In an interview with a prominent media outlet ahead of her book launch, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', she noted that the public is becoming increasingly restless and aware of the damage.

In response to Gandhi's comments, Chugh stated, 'If you remove your Italian lenses, you will see India clearly—Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas—and India emerging as a global power with a GDP growth rate of 7.8%.'

He added that a new wave of faith is spreading among citizens, which he believes she cannot accept.

Chugh also reminded Gandhi of the various scandals that emerged during Congress's rule, urging her to include them in her writings.

'Feel free to write your book, but explain why you were in tears and cried all night when a terrorist was killed in the Batla House encounter. The nation wants to know why you have never spoken about the sacrifices of Indian soldiers,' he remarked.

He further pressed her to discuss the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, recalling how Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi responded to the violence against the Sikh community with the phrase, 'when a big tree falls, the earth shakes.'

Chugh demanded to know who in her family was implicated in the Bofors gun kickbacks and why the perpetrators of the Bhopal gas tragedy were allowed to escape.

He questioned her derogatory remarks about India's culture, asking why she referred to it as a disease or infection.

Chugh emphasized that India is a land rich in sages, saints, and ascetics, and it will continue to be so.

Regarding the Emergency, Sonia Gandhi stated in her interview that it was enacted constitutionally.

'It was only after the Emergency that I truly understood the severity of the situation. Yes, democratic rights were restricted, and habeas corpus was suspended, but it was done constitutionally,' she explained.

Reflecting on that period, she mentioned the violent protests and unrest that characterized the time, which made it challenging for leaders to manage the situation.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari criticized Gandhi for justifying the Emergency, claiming she is attempting to portray Indira Gandhi as a victim, but her public relations efforts cannot conceal the truth.

Bhandari pointed out that Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency and that Rajiv Gandhi perpetuated that legacy with his infamous comment justifying the 1984 Sikh massacre, asserting that the nation has not forgiven the Gandhi-Vadra family.

'Sonia Gandhi cried for Babri, for Batla House, and will do anything for votes. The Congress party harbors animosity towards Hindus,' Bhandari stated in another post.