On Day One, in his first speech as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi was, to use a cricketing phrase, clean bowled while trying to perform heroics. Displaying a picture of Lord Shiva, Rahul Gandhi made a remark about Hindus, which was immediately objected to by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rahul, while trying to explain the idea of non-violence propagated by Lord Shiva, remarked that “those who describe themselves as Hindus are spreading violence, hate and untruth”. Modi promptly stood up and said, it was improper to describe the Hindu samaj (society) as violent, and it was a serious matter. Soon afterwards, several ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Kiren Rijiju, Ashwini Vaishnaw stood up and took Rahul to task. Outside the House, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and other BJP leaders expressed annoyance over Rahul’s remark. Amit Shah demanded Rahul should apologize before Hindu society.
