• Source:JND
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Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, on Saturday slammed the NDA-led central government in his address during the constitution debate in Lok Sabha and alleged that the BJP does not obey the constitution and the saffron party leaders consider the “Manusmriti above the Constitution.".

Rahul Gandhi stated that the BJP supports the ideals of VD Savarkar and alleged that Savarkar said that there is “nothing Indian" about the Constitution of India. “Manusmriti is that scripture which is most worshippable after Vedas for our Hindu nation and from which our ancient times have become the basis for our culture, customs, thought, and practice. This book, for centuries, has codified the spiritual and divine march of our nation. Today, Manusmriti is the law. "These are the words of Savarkar," Rahul Gandhi said. 

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He further said that if the saffron party leaders are talking about protecting the constitution, then they are not on the same page with Savarkar. “Because when you speak in Parliament about protecting the Constitution, you are ridiculing Savarkar, you are abusing Savarkar, you are defaming Savarkar," he said.

A massive outrage sparked after the remarks from the leader of the opposition, as the ruling party MPs stated that Savarkar was a patriot and he gave his life for the country. The BJP leaders claimed that Rahul Gandhi presented wrong facts in the parliament and misquoted the freedom fighter. Union minister Kiren Rijiju also shared a letter of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in which she referred to Savarkar as "a remarkable son of India". 

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Rahul Gandhi also cited an instance from the Mahabharata stating that Dronacharya sought the thumb of Eklavya as an honorarium. “There was a boy (Eklavya) who did tapasya, woke up early in the morning with bow and arrow. Tapasya matlab sharir mein garmi paida karna (penance means creating warmth in the body)," Rahul said.

“Just like Dronacharya chopped the fingers of Eklavya, you (the government) have chopped the thumb of the youth of the country," he added. However, the BJP leaders stated that Rahul presented several wrong facts regarding many issues in the parliament and sought an apology from him.