Yogi slams Rahul over Manusmriti remarks, accuses him of defaming India

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has lashed out at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Manusmriti, accusing the Congress leader of considering it his birth right to denounce India’s traditions and heritage.

The BJP leader also asked the Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition why he wanted to “ruin the future” of India’s present generation “in the hands of Urban Naxals”.

“Urban Naxal” is a term used to denote intellectuals, activists, and urban sympathizers of Leftist ideologies.

Yogi’s charges

Adityanath was addressing a programme in Raebareli, Rahul’s Lok Sabha constituency, to mark the 222nd birth anniversary of 1857 revolt leader Rana Beni Madhav Baksh Singh on Monday (August 24) when he made these comments.

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“Rahul ji, the country does not have any expectations from you as an individual. But as the Leader of Opposition in India’s Parliament, the country’s highest panchayat, you are accountable to the country’s democracy,” the UP chief minister charged.

“You have taken an oath on the Constitution and, after taking that oath, you consider it your birth right to denounce India’s traditions and heritage. When you go outside Uttar Pradesh, you defame and insult Uttar Pradesh, and when you go outside India, you insult India,” he claimed.

‘Manusmriti’ and India’s heritage

Further targeting the Congress leader, Adityanath said, “Whenever the Indian Army fights enemies on the border, you demand proof from soldiers. In the country’s fight against terrorism, you directly or indirectly encourage anti-national elements. In Ayodhya, your party raises questions over the existence of Lord Ram. And what is your commitment to democracy? The country saw that during the Emergency in 1975.”

Also read: Rahul says women belong to themselves, rejects Manusmriti's prescription about their identity

Referring to Rahul’s Manusmriti remarks, he said, “You comment on Manu, Ram or India’s heritage. If you want to know about Manu, read the Atharvaveda, Shatapatha Brahmana and Matsya Purana (religious texts). You will get all the information.”

What Rahul said

Rahul, during an interaction with female students in Maharashtra on Saturday, criticised the “Manusmriti mind set” and urged students to “smash patriarchy”. He said women belonged to themselves, not to their fathers, husbands or sons.

Adityanath said as a responsible Leader of Opposition, the country expected Rahul Gandhi to “play a positive role”. “But you have ruined and ended even that role. You have completely distanced yourself from your responsibilities,” the BJP leader claimed.

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“Why do you want to ruin the future of India’s present generation at the hands of urban Naxals? Why do you want to destroy India’s heritage? Why do you want to play with India’s future,” he questioned.

(With agency inputs)