Is the PM and HM Following RSS Ideology While Securing a Mandate?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Amit Shah defended the SIR and electoral reforms during Lok Sabha debates.
- He insisted that RSS ideology does not disqualify individuals from key positions.
- Shah accused the opposition of spreading falsehoods.
- He emphasized the need for border security and referenced historical electoral issues.
- The NDA remains committed to deporting illegal infiltrators.
New Delhi, Dec 10 (NationPress) Union Home Minister Amit Shah provided a robust defense of the SIR and the larger initiative for electoral reform on Wednesday, stating emphatically that neither the law nor democratic principles prevent individuals with an RSS ideology from occupying significant governmental roles.
In response to accusations from the opposition during a tense debate in the Lok Sabha, Shah remarked: "The opposition claims that individuals with an RSS ideology are appointed to key positions. What’s the issue? Is there any legislation in this country that prohibits individuals with an RSS ideology from holding important roles? The Prime Minister subscribes to the RSS ideology, the Home Minister subscribes to the RSS ideology, and they attained power through the mandate of the people, not due to your benevolence."
During the discourse on election reforms, he accused the opposition of disseminating "falsehoods" regarding the SIR and questioned whether democracy could endure if decisions about the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister are made by "ghuspethiye" (infiltrators).
His comments incited a commotion, leading opposition MPs to walk out mid-speech, with the Home Minister noting their choice to exit rather than listen to a rebuttal.
In advocating for electoral integrity, Shah recounted what he termed historical examples of "voter chori," including the election of India’s inaugural Prime Minister.
"Sardar Patel received 28 votes while Jawaharlal Nehru secured only 2, yet Nehru became the Prime Minister," he emphasized, claiming that the opposition avoids discussions about historical facts.
He also directed a pointed critique at West Bengal regarding infiltration issues, highlighting that of the 2,216 km India–Bangladesh border, 1,653 km is already secured with fencing.
“Only 563 km remains, all located in West Bengal. Other states like Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat — they have all completed fencing. Only Bengal is pending,” he accused the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress of collaborating with the Congress in a “Save the Infiltrators Yatra” akin to that in Bihar.
Reaffirming the NDA’s position, he stated: "Even if they boycott this two hundred times, we will not permit a single illegal infiltrator to remain in this country. Our approach is to identify, remove their names from voter lists, and deport them."