Rae Bareli, Aug 24 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of disrespecting India’s traditions, heritage and institutions, while pointing fingers at his commitment to constitutional responsibilities.

Speaking at a Bhav Samarpan programme organised in Rae Bareli to mark the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Rana Beni Madhav Baksh Singh, CM Yogi said that a society which forgets its ancestors cannot have a meaningful future. He alleged that certain people were deliberately attempting to disconnect Indians from their traditions, values and historical ideals.

“A society that forgets its ancestors has no future. Unfortunately, some people have taken it upon themselves to conspire against India by making people forget India’s traditions, values and ideals and creating confusion among them. I am very shocked to see these things. Recently, I was also reading a statement by Rahul Gandhi, saying that ‘women should break free from the shackles of Manusmriti’ and come out,” CM Yogi said.

Taking direct aim at Rahul Gandhi’s position as the Leader of Opposition, the Chief Minister said that although expectations from the Congress leader may be limited, his constitutional responsibilities demand greater accountability.

“As Rahul Gandhi, the country does not have many expectations from you. But as the Leader of Opposition in the Parliament of India, the country expects you to be accountable to democracy. You have taken an oath on the Constitution of India. Do you consider it your birthright to criticise India’s traditions and heritage?” he asked.

CM Yogi further accused Rahul Gandhi of criticising Uttar Pradesh when travelling outside the state and speaking against India when abroad. He also alleged that Gandhi had questioned the Indian Army’s actions and indirectly supported elements opposed to the country.

“When you go outside UP, you insult the state. When you go outside India, you insult India. When the Indian Army fights enemies on the borders, Rahul Gandhi demands proof from the soldiers. Even in the country’s fight against terrorism, he directly and indirectly encourages anti-national elements. Your party also raised questions about the existence of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya,” he said.

The Chief Minister further said that if Rahul Gandhi genuinely wanted to understand the concept of ‘Manu’, he should study ancient Indian texts, including the Atharvaveda, Shatapatha Brahmana and Matsya Purana.

“I want to ask, who is there whose life does not, in some form, involve the support of a woman, whether as a mother, sister, wife or daughter? Who is such a person? Is there any daughter without a father? Is there any sister without a brother? Can a wife consider her existence complete without her husband, or can a mother consider her existence complete without her son? If Manusmriti hasn’t said this, then you tell me what the correct interpretation is,” he questioned.

CM Yogi also accused Rahul Gandhi of allowing what he described as “urban naxals” to influence India’s younger generation and alleged that the Congress leader was failing to fulfil the responsibilities attached to the post of Leader of Opposition.

“Why do you (Rahul Gandhi) want to let urban Naxals spoil the future of India’s present generation? Why do you want to destroy India’s heritage? Why do you want to play with the future of India? As a responsible LoP, the country expected you to play a positive role, but you have destroyed and abandoned those responsibilities as well. You have completely distanced yourself from your responsibilities. This is the reason why Amethi and Rae Bareli kept bearing the burden of this (Gandhi) family, but it was due to this family that there was an identity crisis,” he said.

The Chief Minister further said that disrespecting constitutional institutions and making derogatory remarks against the Prime Minister should not be viewed merely as criticism of an individual, but as an attack on the office itself.

“When you make insulting remarks and use abusive language against the Prime Minister of India, you are actually insulting India, insulting India’s heritage, and creating an identity crisis for the present generation of India, because the institution is being put under suspicion. You (Rahul Gandhi) need to refrain from such irresponsible actions,” Yogi said.

CM Yogi also criticised the Congress party over its description of the 1925 Kakori train action as “loot”, arguing that the freedom movement and its revolutionary figures deserved greater respect.

He further alleged that the Gandhi family had consistently failed to provide adequate respect to India’s freedom fighters and had instead “insulted India’s freedom fighters and failed to give them the respect they deserved”.

The Chief Minister also trained guns on Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai over the fish feast organised in Ayodhya, alleging that the Congress had displayed a double standard by visiting religious sites while simultaneously engaging in activities that, according to him, were disrespectful to the sentiments associated with the city.

“You must have seen the conduct of the Congress state president yesterday. They went to Hanumangarhi for darshan and then went outside and enjoyed a fish feast. They keep chanting ‘Ram Ram’; there is a limit to shamelessness. Who asked them to go to the temple in the first place? Whatever they wanted to eat, they could have eaten it outside, outside Ayodhya. But this is their double standards. Even the chameleon would feel ashamed in front of them,” Yogi stated.

–IANS

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