Rahul Gandhi's students vs others analogy sparks furore in Parliament
There was a massive uproar in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after Rahul Gandhi used an 'unparliamentary' word to target the government over the recent student protests. The term was later expunged by the Speaker.
Tempestuous scenes were seen in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, citing a conversation with a student, used an "unparliamentary" word to target the government over the recent youth protests. Speaking during a debate on amendments to the anti-paper leak law, Rahul said there was a distinction between "students" and "others".
Rahul said the 18-year-old described "students" as those who seek knowledge and were willing to listen to others, while the 'other' category was those who refuse to hear differing views and believe they know everything.
Rahul said the woman described a student as "someone with an open mind and an open heart".
"There is another group of people... who are not students; they know everything... they believe that they are God. They are arrogant, they don't listen, they don't respect other people's truths," the Congress MP said.
It was enough to spark fireworks in the Lok Sabha, with the NDA MPs objecting to the "unparliamentary" word and demanding that it be expunged.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju was quickly up on his feet. "I believe that he (Rahul) is using a word in the name of a student, but it is he who is using it," Rijiju said.
Soon, other NDA MPs joined Rijiju in protesting against Rahul. Amid the chaos, Rahul clarified that the remark was not targeted at any member of the House or the ruling party.
However, it did little to pacify the NDA MPs. The term used by Rahul to refer to the "other" category was later expunged by the Speaker.
RAHUL GANDHI TARGETS RSS, AMIT SHAH
After a brief pause, Rahul resumed his speech. This time, he trained his guns on the RSS, accusing it of "destroying" the education system.
"The soul of the education system has been captured by the RSS," Rahul said. "Dharmendra Pradhan never ran the education ministry. Pradhan is just a symbol. RSS is the real enemy of our students," he further said.
Pradhan stepped down as Education Minister last week after weeks of massive student-led protests, which were spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The Leader of the Opposition also singled out Home Minister Amit Shah over the crackdown on student protesters during their July 20 march to Parliament. Without mincing any words, Rahul bluntly accused Shah of "ordering" the attacks on students.
"Amit Shah now doesn't dare to face Parliament and speak on the assault of students," he said.
During the July 20 violence, the protesters were tear-gassed and lathi-charged as they reached the Parliament's doorsteps. Videos of RAF personnel using pellet guns have gone viral. Around 120 police personnel were also injured in the incident.
Rijiju again interrupted, firmly asking Rahul not to make "allegations" against the Home Minister without proof.
"Where is the proof that Amit Shah ordered the attack on students?" Rijiju said, asking the Leader of the Opposition to take his words back and apologise.
To this, Rahul stressed that the use of force on students could only have been "authorised by the Home Minister".
It again sparked another round of uproar from the NDA MPs. The Speaker eventually adjourned the proceedings.
Tempestuous scenes were seen in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, citing a conversation with a student, used an "unparliamentary" word to target the government over the recent youth protests. Speaking during a debate on amendments to the anti-paper leak law, Rahul said there was a distinction between "students" and "others".
Rahul said the 18-year-old described "students" as those who seek knowledge and were willing to listen to others, while the 'other' category was those who refuse to hear differing views and believe they know everything.
Rahul said the woman described a student as "someone with an open mind and an open heart".
"There is another group of people... who are not students; they know everything... they believe that they are God. They are arrogant, they don't listen, they don't respect other people's truths," the Congress MP said.
It was enough to spark fireworks in the Lok Sabha, with the NDA MPs objecting to the "unparliamentary" word and demanding that it be expunged.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju was quickly up on his feet. "I believe that he (Rahul) is using a word in the name of a student, but it is he who is using it," Rijiju said.
Soon, other NDA MPs joined Rijiju in protesting against Rahul. Amid the chaos, Rahul clarified that the remark was not targeted at any member of the House or the ruling party.
However, it did little to pacify the NDA MPs. The term used by Rahul to refer to the "other" category was later expunged by the Speaker.
RAHUL GANDHI TARGETS RSS, AMIT SHAH
After a brief pause, Rahul resumed his speech. This time, he trained his guns on the RSS, accusing it of "destroying" the education system.
"The soul of the education system has been captured by the RSS," Rahul said. "Dharmendra Pradhan never ran the education ministry. Pradhan is just a symbol. RSS is the real enemy of our students," he further said.
Pradhan stepped down as Education Minister last week after weeks of massive student-led protests, which were spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The Leader of the Opposition also singled out Home Minister Amit Shah over the crackdown on student protesters during their July 20 march to Parliament. Without mincing any words, Rahul bluntly accused Shah of "ordering" the attacks on students.
"Amit Shah now doesn't dare to face Parliament and speak on the assault of students," he said.
During the July 20 violence, the protesters were tear-gassed and lathi-charged as they reached the Parliament's doorsteps. Videos of RAF personnel using pellet guns have gone viral. Around 120 police personnel were also injured in the incident.
Rijiju again interrupted, firmly asking Rahul not to make "allegations" against the Home Minister without proof.
"Where is the proof that Amit Shah ordered the attack on students?" Rijiju said, asking the Leader of the Opposition to take his words back and apologise.
To this, Rahul stressed that the use of force on students could only have been "authorised by the Home Minister".
It again sparked another round of uproar from the NDA MPs. The Speaker eventually adjourned the proceedings.
Tempestuous scenes were seen in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, citing a conversation with a student, used an "unparliamentary" word to target the government over the recent youth protests. Speaking during a debate on amendments to the anti-paper leak law, Rahul said there was a distinction between "students" and "others".
Rahul said the 18-year-old described "students" as those who seek knowledge and were willing to listen to others, while the 'other' category was those who refuse to hear differing views and believe they know everything.
Rahul said the woman described a student as "someone with an open mind and an open heart".
"There is another group of people... who are not students; they know everything... they believe that they are God. They are arrogant, they don't listen, they don't respect other people's truths," the Congress MP said.
It was enough to spark fireworks in the Lok Sabha, with the NDA MPs objecting to the "unparliamentary" word and demanding that it be expunged.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju was quickly up on his feet. "I believe that he (Rahul) is using a word in the name of a student, but it is he who is using it," Rijiju said.
Soon, other NDA MPs joined Rijiju in protesting against Rahul. Amid the chaos, Rahul clarified that the remark was not targeted at any member of the House or the ruling party.
However, it did little to pacify the NDA MPs. The term used by Rahul to refer to the "other" category was later expunged by the Speaker.
RAHUL GANDHI TARGETS RSS, AMIT SHAH
After a brief pause, Rahul resumed his speech. This time, he trained his guns on the RSS, accusing it of "destroying" the education system.
"The soul of the education system has been captured by the RSS," Rahul said. "Dharmendra Pradhan never ran the education ministry. Pradhan is just a symbol. RSS is the real enemy of our students," he further said.
Pradhan stepped down as Education Minister last week after weeks of massive student-led protests, which were spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The Leader of the Opposition also singled out Home Minister Amit Shah over the crackdown on student protesters during their July 20 march to Parliament. Without mincing any words, Rahul bluntly accused Shah of "ordering" the attacks on students.
"Amit Shah now doesn't dare to face Parliament and speak on the assault of students," he said.
During the July 20 violence, the protesters were tear-gassed and lathi-charged as they reached the Parliament's doorsteps. Videos of RAF personnel using pellet guns have gone viral. Around 120 police personnel were also injured in the incident.
Rijiju again interrupted, firmly asking Rahul not to make "allegations" against the Home Minister without proof.
"Where is the proof that Amit Shah ordered the attack on students?" Rijiju said, asking the Leader of the Opposition to take his words back and apologise.
To this, Rahul stressed that the use of force on students could only have been "authorised by the Home Minister".
It again sparked another round of uproar from the NDA MPs. The Speaker eventually adjourned the proceedings.
