Rahul Gandhi and Nishikant Dubey (ANI images)
NEW DELHI: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Friday demanded that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s diplomatic passport should be confiscated and legal action initiated.This comes after Gandhi’s visit to Colombia, where he accused the BJP-led central government of mounting a “wholesale attack on Indian democracy” during an interaction at EIA University. Congress leader claimed that India’s diversity of religions, traditions and languages requires space for dialogue. Gandhi added that the democratic system is the best way to ensure this. According to him, the government’s actions are undermining this system and threatening the democratic fabric of the country.Dubey alleged that Gandhi makes baseless statements abroad criticizing the Indian government. The BJP leader claimed that Gandhi’s speeches on the Constitution and government policies were comparable to remarks made by controversial figures abroad.Speaking to reporters, BJP MP said: “Rahul Gandhi goes abroad and speaks at length about the Constitution and makes baseless statements against the Indian government. This is similar to what Zakir Naik is saying from Malaysia, and Khalistan terrorist Pannu from Canada and the US.”“I think the time has come for his diplomatic passport to be confiscated and legal action should be taken against him,” he added. Dubey also criticized Congress for opposing the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was detained under the National Security Act in connection with the recent Leh violence in Ladakh. He alleged involvement of a “foreign power” behind Wangchuk’s activism and highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had fulfilled Ladakh’s long-standing demand for Union Territory status.The BJP MP further slammed the Congress for historical actions during the Emergency, citing the imprisonment of former BJP leader Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia and 82-year-old freedom fighter and former Andhra Pradesh Governor Bhim Sen Sachar. In a post on X, Dubey has also accused the party of hypocrisy. He said that Congress now sheds “crocodile tears” for those arrested in Leh while having previously persecuted political opponents. Dubey also pointed out that while Congress speaks about women’s rights and democracy, the party’s actions during the Emergency told a different story. Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia and Maharani Gayatri Devi were imprisoned and harassed and 82-year-old Bhim Sen Sachar was also sent to jail.Senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have urged the Centre to hold talks with the people of Ladakh, calling for a fair judicial inquiry into the violence that claimed four lives. Gandhi highlighted the case of a soldier’s son among the victims, demanding justice and condemning the government’s actions.Sonam Wangchuk is currently lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail following his detention under the National Security Act.
