Rahul invokes Savarkar, says BJP Manusmriti supporter

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked the Centre during a debate on the 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution and wondered whether the BJP considers “Manusmriti above Constitution”.

He also drew a parallel between the Eklavya episode in the Mahabharata and the governance of the Modi-led government, and claimed the Centre was “chopping the thumb of the youth of the country”. Rahul cited an instance from the epic stating Dronacharya sought Eklavya’s thumb as an honorarium. “Just as Dronacharya had asked Eklavya to chop off his thumb as ‘guru dakshina’, you (the government) have chopped the thumb of the youth of the country,” the LoP said. His comments led to protests from the treasury benches.

Referring to RSS ideologue Veer Savarkar’s comments in the House, the LoP said the supreme leader of the BJP and Sangh had said about the Constitution that “there is nothing Indian” about it. “Manusmriti is the most worshipable scripture after the Vedas for our Hindu nation and from which our ancient times have become the basis for our culture, customs, thought and practice. This book, for centuries, has codified the spiritual and divine march of our nation. Today, Manusmiriti is the law. These are the words of Savarkar,” Gandhi said.

He asked the BJP if its leaders agreed with Savarkar’s views. “Because when you speak in Parliament about protecting the Constitution, you are ridiculing Savarkar, you are abusing Savarkar, you are defaming Savarkar.”