'If Lalit, Nirav criticised, why is BJP pained?' asks Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge

Countering the BJP's claim that Rahul Gandhi insulted OBCs, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying a person who called people “dogs” is now talking about OBCs.

He asked why the ruling BJP felt hurt when those who fled the country with public money were criticised. He emphasised that Congress will give a befitting reply if anyone attempts to crush them for raising the voice for democracy.

Addressing the day-long 'Samvidhan Bachao, Loktantra Bachao Sankalp Satyagraha' at Rajghat, Kharge recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "puppy" remarks about Gujarat riot victims in 2013, saying a person who called people "dogs" was talking about OBCs and why he is worried when Rahul and Congress talk about those who fled with public money.

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“In Ahmedabad when thousands of people were killed, a journalist asked him if he was sad that so many people had died. He said he was not the driver, but while sitting in the passenger seat, if the car accidentally killed a dog, one would feel sad. He called people dogs. And such a person is now talking about OBCs,” he said.

"Is Nirav Modi OBC? Is Mehul Choksi OBC? Is Lalit Modi OBC? They have looted the country’s money and fled. If we talk about fugitives, why does it hurt? You (BJP) punish the person who works to save the country and send those abroad who loot the country,” he said.

Expressing solidarity with Rahul who has been convicted in a defamation case and subsequently disqualified from Lok Sabha, he said the BJP wants to silence Rahul and they think that if Rahul is silenced, then they can "automatically" silence the Congress. "They are wrong," he said.

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"They are scared that Rahul will raise the Adani issue in Parliament. So many speeches were given by Modi when he said terrible things about the Gandhi family. He ought to have been punished in defamation cases but people are liberal. They said if one person says such things, ignore it," he said.

He said the Congress workers are ready for any sacrifice that is needed to save the Constitution, democracy and freedom of speech. He said, "if someone tries to crush us with arrogance, we will give a befitting reply."

Defending Rahul in the defamation case, Kharge said the Congress leader's remark was made during a poll campaign and was not aimed at hurting anyone. But they filed a case in Surat for what was said in Karnataka's Kolar. "If you had the guts you should have filed that case in Karnataka," he said.

Kharge also thanked other Opposition parties for expressing solidarity with Rahul following his conviction and disqualification.