Congress MP Rahul Gandhi sparked controversy on Tuesday with veiled criticism aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, alleging:
“he saw people lying on the road after drinking alcohol”.
Speaking at a rally in his former constituency Amethi during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Rahul Gandhi remarked:
“future of Uttar Pradesh is dancing” with people consuming alcohol at night.
He remarked:
“In Varanasi, I observed musical instruments being played at night. I saw individuals lying on the road after consuming alcohol. The future of Uttar Pradesh appears to be dancing after drinking alcohol at night.”
He went on to contrast this scene with the presence of the Ram Temple where PM Modi, Ambani, and Adani are visible. He claimed that while all of India’s billionaires would be seen, not a single backward or Dalit person would be present.
Union Minister and BJP MP from Amethi, Smriti Irani, swiftly condemned Rahul Gandhi’s remarks as “objectionable” and questioned his upbringing.
she remarked:
Moreover, she also added:
“Congress’s future may be in darkness, but Uttar Pradesh’s future is heading towards development. It is my advice to Sonia Gandhi that if she cannot provide proper guidance to her son, she should at least advise him against making such comments.”
Call for Apology Amid Cultural Concerns: Uttar Pradesh Minister Reacts:
Uttar Pradesh minister Dinesh Pratap Singh also criticized Rahul Gandhi’s remarks and demanded an apology from him.
Additionally, he expressed to news agency ANI:
“It is disheartening to hear such statements when efforts are being made by the Centre to promote Indian culture worldwide. Our culture does not condone public drinking. I can confidently say that no one in my family consumes alcohol in public, but can Rahul Gandhi make the same claim? He should apologize for such remarks.”
