Can BJP Weaponize Article 25 of the Constitution Against Rahul Gandhi’s Hindu Remarks? Did Rahul Score a Self-Goal? Election Impact Ahead!

BJP vs Rahul Gandhi: In a heated exchange in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP’s interpretation of Hinduism by displaying a picture of Lord Shiva and stating that while Shiva’s message is “fear not,” those who claim to be Hindus talk about violence constantly. Gandhi asserted that BJP members are not true Hindus. In response, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey referenced Article 25 of the Constitution, emphasizing that it prohibits calling anyone a terrorist based on their religion. This confrontation raises questions about whether BJP can use Article 25 as a political weapon against Rahul Gandhi and what impact this debate might have on the upcoming elections.

What does Article 25 of the Constitution say? Which BJP can use as a weapon against Rahul Gandhi

The sixth day of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha was tumultuous. During the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, attacked the BJP fiercely on the issue of Shiva, Hindus and Hindutva. Rahul said, “Those who call themselves Hindus, they keep on shouting violence-violence-violence 24 hours a day…hatred-hatred-hatred… you are not Hindus at all. It is clearly written in the Hindu religion that one should support the truth.” MP from Godda, Jharkhand, Nishikant Dubey, strongly objected to this statement of Rahul Gandhi. Dubey also mentioned Article 25 of the Constitution.

Nishikant Dubey, while replying to Raebareli MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, said, “These people talk about the Constitution. Article 25 of the same Constitution says that no person can call anyone a violent person on the basis of any religion. They have called Hindus violent. They have insulted the Constitution. They should apologize. They are not above the Constitution. I want to ask Rahul Gandhi and the Congress whether they are above the Constitution?”

Let us know what is Article 25, which BJP can use to corner Rahul Gandhi

Guarantee of the Fundamental Right to Freedom of Religion

Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the fundamental right to freedom of religion. It covers various aspects related to the freedom to profess, practice and propagate religion. Freedom of religion under this article is subject to reasonable restrictions imposed in the interest of public order, morality and health. This means that individuals have the right to practice their religion, but it should not disturb the harmony of society or infringe upon the well-being of others.

Difference between religious practices and secular activities

Article 25 distinguishes between religious practices and secular activities associated with religious institutions. The State has the power to regulate or prohibit secular activities that may be associated with religious practices, such as social reform, economic activities and other activities related to core aspects of religion. 

Right to manage religious affairs

This also includes the right of religious denominations or any section thereof to manage their religious affairs, including the establishment and maintenance of religious institutions, so long as they do not violate any other law or public order.

Can legal action be taken against Rahul Gandhi? 

Nishikant Dubey has cornered Rahul Gandhi citing Article 25 of the Constitution. BJP makes an issue of any statement related to Hindutva by the opposition, Congress or Rahul Gandhi. In such a situation, it is clear that BJP will not let Rahul Gandhi’s latest statement go just like that. It is possible that the party may demand action against the Leader of Opposition citing violation of Article 25.

PM Modi will reply in Lok Sabha on Tuesday

16 hours were allotted in Lok Sabha for discussion on the motion of thanks brought on the President’s address. PM Narendra Modi will reply on the motion of thanks at 4 pm on Tuesday. With this, the discussion on the motion of thanks will end. Whereas 21 hours were allotted in Rajya Sabha for discussion on the motion of thanks brought on the President’s address. In such a situation, PM Modi is expected to reply in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

By talking about Hindus and violence, did Rahul Gandhi score a self goal? Will it affect the elections?

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi participated in the ongoing debate on the President’s address on Monday. During this, he gave a strong speech. However, a part of his speech created an uproar in the Lok Sabha. He said something about Hindus, after which even Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had to intervene. The ruling party called the Leader of Opposition anti-Hindu and appealed to him to apologize.

What did Rahul Gandhi say in the Lok Sabha?

At the beginning of his speech, Rahul Gandhi showed a picture of Lord Shiva in the House. He said that we all were in the refuge of Lord Shiva. This helped us fight such people. Rahul said that Shivaji had drunk poison and he became Neelkanth, from there we learnt and drank many poisons. Rahul was actually referring to the political attacks on him. He also mentioned about his membership of Parliament being taken away. 

During this, Rahul targeted BJP and RSS fiercely. He said that it is told in Islam that the Prophet says that God is with us, so we should not be afraid. He said that Guru Nanak Ji of Sikhism also has the same message. Rahul showed the picture of Lord Shiva and said that Shiva says be afraid and do not be afraid. He said that Shiva gives this message, but those who call themselves Hindus talk about violence 24 hours a day. You (BJP) are not Hindus.

BJP vs Rahul Gandhi: Ruling party creates ruckus over Rahul’s statement

The ruling party created a ruckus over this statement of Rahul. PM Narendra Modi stood up in the House and said that it is insulting to call the entire Hindu society violent. BJP said that it is like calling the entire Hindu society violent. 

Some political analysts are considering this statement by Rahul at the wrong time. They say that there are many other burning issues to be discussed in the Parliament at this time, which can be discussed. The issue of NEET is prominent among them. Questions are being raised about the paper leak of NEET exam. The government is even getting this exam investigated by the CBI. This is an issue with which the future of lakhs of students of the country is linked. They are also protesting about it. At such a time, leaving the issue of NEET and talking about Hindus can prove to be a self goal for Congress and Rahul Gandhi.

It is not that Rahul did not raise the issue of NEET or paper leak in the House. He said that you have converted a professional scheme into a commercial scheme. The poor cannot go to medical college, the entire exam has been made for rich children. Thousands of crores of rupees are being made and the commercial papers you have made, 70 papers have been leaked in 7 years. Neither the paper leak nor Agniveer will be discussed in the President’s address. We demanded a one-day discussion, the government said – no, it cannot happen.

BJP vs Rahul Gandhi: The government said it attacked Rahul

BJP, the advocate of Hindutva politics, has started giving air to Rahul’s statement about Hindus. In the House, PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah objected to Rahul’s statement, while many ministers have taken charge outside the House. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said in a press conference that this statement of Rahul Gandhi has insulted the entire Hindu society. Vaishnav says that in 2010, the then Home Minister P Chidambaram had called Hindus terrorists. In 2013, the then Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde again called Hindus terrorists, while Rahul himself said in 2021 that Hindutvawadis should be thrown out of the country. Today Rahul Gandhi called the entire Hindu society violent and untruthful.

Whose support did Rahul Gandhi get?

However, the Congress party and opposition parties are seen supporting Rahul Gandhi on this issue. On Rahul’s speech, his sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi said, “Hindus cannot be insulted. He (Rahul Gandhi) has spoken clearly, he has spoken about the BJP, he has spoken about the BJP leaders.”

Rahul Gandhi has given this statement at a time when by-elections are to be held in three states and assembly seats in many states this year. In such a situation, BJP, which is an advocate of Hindutva, can make this statement of Rahul an issue. On the other hand, Congress, which is excited about the Lok Sabha elections, may have to face trouble due to this statement of Rahul.

Also Read: