BJP's CP Joshi slams Rahul Gandhi over remarks in US, demands seizure of his passport

Sep 24, 2024

New Delhi [India], September 25 : Bharatiya Janata Party MP CP Joshi hit out at the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his remarks in the United States, and said either the Congress leader should resign or the government should seize his passport.
He appealed Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla to seize Rahul Gandhi's passport, accusing the Raebareli MP of "defaming" the country, security forces, and industrialists on foreign trips.
"Who gave Rahul Gandhi right to badmouth our country. Either he should resign from the post of Lok Sabha LoP or govt should seize his passport, I have made an appeal for this to Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla," Joshi told ANI.
He further asked, is there any leader in the world who has come to India and spoken bad words for their own country.
"Not BJP but common people of the country have issue. Anyone from the country can go anywhere in the country and can express their opinion, they have the freedom to do so. But I want to ask Rahul Gandhi and Congress, is there any such leader in the world who has come to India and badmouthed their own country's security forces, industrialists, Sanatan or the poor? He is joining hands with anti-national forces and hurting the country," the BJP leader said.
Notably, Rahul Gandhi came under massive heat for his remarks on the Sikh community, and reservation, during his interactions in the United States this month.
During an interaction, the Congress leader said the fight in India today is whether a Sikh person will be allowed to wear a turban, kada, and whether he will be allowed to go to Gurdwara.
In a separate event, Rahul Gandhi reiterated the need of conducting a caste census. Being asked on the issue of reservations, he said that they can think of scrapping reservations the day India becomes a "fair place," which it is not.
Following backlash, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha defended his remarks made during his visit to the United States, and accused the BJP of "resorting to lies" and making desperate attempts to "silence" him. Rahul Gandhi said he will always speak up for the values that define India.
"I want to ask every Sikh brother and sister in India and abroad: Is there anything wrong with what I have said? Shouldn't India be a country where every Sikh--and every Indian--can freely practice their religion without fear?" he asked.
"As usual, the BJP is resorting to lies. They are desperate to silence me because they cannot stand the truth. But I will always speak up for the values that define India: our unity in diversity, equality, and love," he added.