'Cropped, misleading': Pralhad Joshi slams Rahul over Amit Shah's SIR video

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has renewed his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to debate the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, sharing two video clips of Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks from December last year and Thursday (November 5). The post, pinned to Rahul's X account, appears to suggest a difference in the ruling party's position on discussing SIR in Parliament.

Rahul claims contrasting remarks by Amit Shah

In the first clip, from December 5 last year, Shah purportedly says: "It is my firm view that SIR cannot be discussed in this House; if a discussion were to take place and certain questions were raised, who would provide the answers?"

Also Read: Shah asks Rahul to debate SIR in Parliament, takes swipe for Congress' electoral defeats

In the second video, recorded on Thursday, the Home Minister says: "You challenge Modi to a discussion - well, Rahul-ji, there is no need for Modi ji, we are prepared to call a special session of the House for a discussion on SIR."

"Confusion main aa gaye hain (They have become confused)," said Rahul with a smile.

Pralhad Joshi counters

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi countered with a sharp retort, accusing the Congress leader of circulating a "cropped, out-of-context video of Amit Shah".

Also Read: Watch | Anti-SIR protests: Comeback time for Congress and INDIA bloc?

"Circulating cropped, out-of-context video of Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji shows only one thing- @RahulGandhi's absolute lack of homework on SIR," Joshi said.

Joshi calls video doctored

He also shared Shah's full statement from Parliament in December last year. The Home Minister had said: "It is my firm view that SIR cannot be discussed in this House as SIR was being done by the Election Commission of India. The Election Commission of India and the Chief Election Commissioner do not work under the government. If a discussion were to take place and certain questions were raised, who would provide the answers? When they said they were ready to discuss electoral reforms, we immediately agreed, and today, the discussion is indeed focused on electoral reforms," the Home Minister said in parliament, appearing to make a distinction between discussion on electoral reforms and SIR, reported NDTV.

Also Read: One Nation, One Protest: 'Anti-EC stir could be turning point for Rahul'

The Union Minister called Rahul’s video doctored. Shah's remarks on Thursday, however, indicated that the government was prepared to call a special session of Parliament to discuss SIR.

Joshi questions Congress over past election defeats

Joshi said the Congress had lost the 2014, 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections even when no SIR was conducted.

"Rahul ji, the confusion is clearly yours, not ours! When you win elections, the electoral process is acceptable; when you lose, the same process suddenly becomes questionable. Is this your understanding of democracy? You lost the 2014, 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections even when no SIR was conducted. Will you take responsibility for those defeats or blame something else?" he said.

"And now, when Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji has openly challenged you to discuss SIR in Parliament and even offered a special session, why the hesitation. Enough of political theatrics, Rahul ji. Bring your arguments to Parliament and debate with facts," he said.