Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday, 22 August launched a sharp counter-attack against Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, asserting that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has neither feared anyone nor yielded to pressure. Singh's remarks came amid a widening political confrontation over the alleged pellet-gun injury sustained by a student protester during the July 20 march towards Parliament.

What Giriraj Singh Said on X

Taking to social media platform X, Singh posted a direct message at the Congress leader. 'Rahul Gandhi ji, do not forget decorum in the arrogance of ego. The government of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has neither feared nor bowed. The government is steadfastly carrying out the work of public service on the path of its policies and duties,' he wrote.

Singh also shared a video message reinforcing the same line of attack, adding a pointed reference to the Bhagavad Gita. 'I think he has not read the Gita. The government is not afraid; the government is working according to its policies and responsibilities,' he said in the video. 'But I will say, Rahul, please do not say such things in arrogance. The whole world is watching what you are,' he added.

Citizenship Controversy Invoked

Singh further escalated the exchange by raising questions about citizenship and national duty, targeting Rahul Gandhi's family background. 'Those whose mother did not take Indian citizenship even 15 years after marriage, and who themselves are embroiled in the controversy of dual citizenship, should not lecture us on national duty and the Constitution. The entire country is watching your true colours,' the Union Minister said.

The remarks are the latest in a pattern of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders invoking the citizenship question against the Gandhi family — a line of attack that the Indian National Congress (INC) has consistently rejected as politically motivated.

The Pellet-Gun Case That Triggered the Row

The immediate trigger for the political standoff was the case of Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old student protester who allegedly suffered pellet-gun injuries during the July 20 march towards Parliament. Rahul Gandhi accompanied Lochab and staged a sit-in outside a Delhi Police station, refusing to leave until a First Information Report (FIR) was registered. 'I will sit on dharna outside the police station for 30 days or even six months if you do not register an FIR,' Gandhi warned during the day-long protest.

Delhi Police subsequently registered an FIR against unknown persons based on Lochab's complaint, stating that medical reports and related documents had been collected as part of the investigation.

Rahul Gandhi's Response After FIR

Reacting to the registration of the FIR, Gandhi called it a first step but questioned the delay. 'This is the first step towards justice. An FIR has been registered. Look at how long it took. It has been a month since the pellets were fired. There are pellets lodged in his body, including three in his eye and near his heart. It is clear that injustice has been done to a young person,' he said on Friday.

The case has sharpened the confrontation between the ruling alliance and the opposition ahead of upcoming legislative sessions, with both sides unlikely to stand down on the matter.