Rahul calls for patient approach towards intolerance
New Delhi: In a scathing attack on government over 'intolerance' issue, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday asked it not to learn the “wrong lessons” from Pakistan but listen and embrace those who have been “disturbed” over recent incidents.
The Congress Vice President, while participating in a debate on 'intolerance' in the Lok Sabha, also rubbished the government's contention that the protests by some writers, historians and scientists were “manufactured”.
He even made a veiled reference to the sedition charge slapped against Patel movement leader Hardik Patel in Gujarat and said “in today's India, staging a protest means attracting the charge of sedition.” His speech was repeatedly interrupted by BJP members, especially when he targeted Union Minister V K Singh for allegedly likening to dogs two Dalit children in Haryana who were burnt to death. V K Singh was not present in the House.
“I request the government, please do not learn the wrong lessons from Pakistan. Be tolerant. Listen to your people, embrace your own people. Mahatma Gandhi gave voice to the people,” the Congress leader said.
“Pakistan became a failure because their leaders crushed voices of their people...were intolerant. Let us not learn the wrong lessons,” he added.
“People like Narayana Murthy, Raghuram Rajan and P M Bhargava are among the many protesting... They are disturbed like millions of other people. Respect them and try to understand what is disturbing them. Go and listen to them,” he said.
