2 weeks ago
Ravi Shankar Prasad calls Chidambaram's 'mentally Naxal' remark irresponsible
India recently celebrated its Independence Day, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a speech.
In his speech, he talked about how the government had succeeded in tackling Maoists, also known as Naxals.
Modi also said that even though Naxalism has been removed, some people are still 'mentally Naxal.'
A Congress leader named P. Chidambaram then said he too was mentally a Naxal.
A BJP leader, Ravi Shankar Prasad, said that comment was highly objectionable and irresponsible.
Prasad said Chidambaram should have understood the meaning of the Prime Minister's speech first.
He also said the Congress party has long had a soft approach towards Maoists.
Prasad also claimed Congress leaders, especially Sonia Gandhi, interrupted the singing of the national song 'Vande Mataram' at an Independence Day programme.
He said the Congress should apologise to the country for that.
So the BJP and the Congress are now arguing over these remarks.
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad called Congress leader P Chidambaram's remark that he was 'mentally a Naxal' highly objectionable and irresponsible.
The remark was a response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address, in which Modi said some people are still 'mentally Naxal' even though Naxalism has been eliminated.
Prasad said Chidambaram should have understood the context and purpose of the PM's remarks before making such a statement.
Prasad alleged a section of the Congress ecosystem has long maintained a 'soft approach' towards Maoists, and that Congress leadership, particularly Sonia Gandhi, disrupted the complete rendition of 'Vande Mataram' at an Independence Day programme.
Prasad demanded the Congress apologise to the country and said there should be no politics over respect for the nation and national symbols.
- Who
- BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, Congress leader P Chidambaram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and, as alleged by Prasad, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.
- What
- Prasad called Chidambaram's 'mentally a Naxal' remark highly objectionable and irresponsible, and alleged Congress leadership disrupted the complete rendition of 'Vande Mataram' at an Independence Day programme.
- Where
- At a press conference at the BJP headquarters (datelined Patna).
- When
- Sunday, August 16, following Prime Minister Modi's Independence Day address.
- Why
- Chidambaram was responding to Modi's Independence Day remarks that, though Naxalism has been eliminated, some people are still 'mentally Naxal'; he said he too was mentally a Naxal, prompting Prasad's criticism.
BJP's criticism
Congress's side
Chidambaram's 'mentally Naxal' remark
BJP's criticism
Ravi Shankar Prasad called the remark highly objectionable and irresponsible, unbecoming of a former Union home minister, and said Chidambaram should have understood the context of Modi's Independence Day remarks before commenting.
Congress's side
Chidambaram responded to Modi's statement that some people remain 'mentally Naxal' by saying, 'Modi ji, I am also mentally a Naxal,' rejecting the characterisation; the article does not report a more detailed defence.
Alleged disruption of 'Vande Mataram'
BJP's criticism
Prasad alleged that Congress leadership, particularly Sonia Gandhi, disrupted the complete rendition of 'Vande Mataram' at an Independence Day programme and said Congress should apologise to the country.
Congress's side
The article reports no response from the Congress leadership to this allegation, which is presented only as Prasad's claim.
Key facts
- Target of criticism
- Congress leader P Chidambaram's remark that he was 'mentally a Naxal'
- Critic
- BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad
- Context
- PM Narendra Modi's Independence Day address on the government's success in tackling Maoists
- Allegation
- A section of the Congress ecosystem has a 'soft approach' towards Maoists, per Prasad
- Vande Mataram allegation
- Congress leadership, particularly Sonia Gandhi, disrupted the complete rendition of the national song, per Prasad
- Demand
- Congress should apologise to the country for the incident
- Date
- Sunday, August 16
- Venue
- Press conference at the BJP headquarters
Quotes
Ravi Shankar Prasad
BJP MP and former Union home minister
““Chidambaram should have understood the context and purpose of Prime Minister Modi’s remarks before making such a statement.””
theprint.in
Sources
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