Armed with a copy of the Constitution and photos of religious figures including Lord Shiva, Prophet Mohammed, Jesus Christ, and Guru Nanak Singh, Mr. Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce attack on the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, claiming neither truly represented all Hindus. The Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, hit back strongly, accusing the Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition of insulting all Hindus.

Mr. Gandhi began his speech by alleging a "full-scale and systematic assault on the idea of India, the Constitution, and on people who resisted the attack on the Constitution." He thundered that many opposition leaders were "personally attacked," referencing figures such as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is in Delhi's Tihar Jail over his arrest in the liquor policy case. Kejriwal’s AAP is part of the Congress-led INDIA opposition bloc.

Citing Lord Shiva’s image, Gandhi asserted that "Hindus can never spread fear and hatred, but the BJP spreads fear and hatred 24x7." He displayed images of Prophet Mohammed and Guru Nanak Singh, for which Speaker Om Birla admonished him, noting the commonality in their most popular poses—the outward-facing right hand, also the Congress symbol.

"Darao mat... daro mat... (don't scare, don't be scared)," Gandhi said, referring to the 'abhaya mudra,' a gesture teaching one to dispel fear, identical in lessons taught by all religions.

"The 'abhaya mudra' is the symbol of the Congress," Gandhi emphasized. "It is the gesture of safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, and other Indian religions."

Armed with a copy of the Constitution and photos of religious figures including Lord Shiva, Prophet Mohammed, Jesus Christ, and Guru Nanak Singh, Mr. Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce attack on the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, claiming neither truly represented all Hindus. The Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, hit back strongly, accusing the Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition of insulting all Hindus.

Mr. Gandhi began his speech by alleging a "full-scale and systematic assault on the idea of India, the Constitution, and on people who resisted the attack on the Constitution." He thundered that many opposition leaders were "personally attacked," referencing figures such as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is in Delhi's Tihar Jail over his arrest in the liquor policy case. Kejriwal’s AAP is part of the Congress-led INDIA opposition bloc.

Citing Lord Shiva’s image, Gandhi asserted that "Hindus can never spread fear and hatred, but the BJP spreads fear and hatred 24x7." He displayed images of Prophet Mohammed and Guru Nanak Singh, for which Speaker Om Birla admonished him, noting the commonality in their most popular poses—the outward-facing right hand, also the Congress symbol.

"Darao mat... daro mat... (don't scare, don't be scared)," Gandhi said, referring to the 'abhaya mudra,' a gesture teaching one to dispel fear, identical in lessons taught by all religions.

"The 'abhaya mudra' is the symbol of the Congress," Gandhi emphasized. "It is the gesture of safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, and other Indian religions."