Agartala, July 2: A statement made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Parliament has ignited a nationwide uproar, particularly in Tripura. Gandhi asserted, “This country is not a country of fear,” emphasizing the legacy of non-violence left by our forefathers. He drew parallels to Lord Shiva’s depiction in Abhaya Mudra, signifying fearlessness even with a snake coiled around his neck.
However, Gandhi’s remarks took a contentious turn when he accused those identifying as Hindus of perpetuating violence, falsehoods, and hatred incessantly. He explicitly stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not representative of Hinduism, emphasizing the importance of standing for truth.
In response, the Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha organized a protest program in Tripura’s capital city. Demonstrators gathered in front of the city center, expressing their outrage by burning effigies of Rahul Gandhi. Sushant Dev, the president of the Yuva Morcha, condemned Gandhi’s comments, alleging that they hurt religious sentiments. The protest extended across the state, with demonstrations held in various localities.
Dev vowed that the movement would escalate in the coming days, demanding an immediate retraction of Gandhi’s statements. The controversy underscores the delicate balance between freedom of expression and respecting religious sentiments, leaving the streets abuzz with dissent.
