A heated debate erupted in the Lok Sabha as the Leader of Opposition accused the RSS of capturing India’s institutions and undermining democracy. Speaking on electoral reforms, he alleged collusion between the ruling BJP and the Election Commission
LoP Rahul Gandhi speaks in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Pic/PTI
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday witnessed a stormy debate as Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha accused the RSS of “systematically seeking to dominate India’s institutions”. Gandhi further said that there is "no bigger anti-national act than vote chori".
While speaking during a discussion on electoral reforms, Gandhi asserted, “Everything in India that exists today has emerged from the vote, and the RSS is trying to capture that."
His remarks provoked loud protests from the ruling party members, prompting Speaker Om Birla to intervene multiple times to restore order.
The Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition also alleged that the RSS, in collaboration with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has undermined democratic institutions, beginning with the Election Commission of India (ECI).
He further outlined three areas of institutional capture: education, investigative agencies, and the Election Commission.
To support his claims, he posed three questions:
- Why was the Chief Justice of India removed from the selection panel for election commissioners?
- Why did the government in December 2023 grant unprecedented immunity to election commissioners?
- Why are CCTV footage of polling stations destroyed after 45 days?
Gandhi further argued that these steps weaken transparency and enable manipulation.
While slamming the ruling party, Gandhi emphasised, “Today, the Election Commission of India is colluding with those in power to shape the election"
Furthermore, in a dramatic moment, the Leader of the Opposition also recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination on January 30, 1948.
“The RSS project began after the Father of the Nation was killed, with the aim of dismantling his vision of an equal India where institutions belonged to the people. “These are uncomfortable truths, but they have to be spoken," said the Congress MP.
However, Gandhi’s remarks drew sharp objections from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. The BJP minister insisted that Gandhi was straying from the subject of electoral reforms.
“He is not speaking of anything related to electoral reforms,” said the minister. Furthermore, Speaker Om Birla also intervened, reminding the Congress MP to confine his speech to electoral reforms rather than making sweeping allegations against institutions.
(With inputs from IANS)
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