Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi responded defiantly to the recent expunging of parts of his parliamentary speech, stating, “The government can expunge as much as it wants but truth cannot be expunged.” Directly targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi remarked, “Truth can be expunged in Modiji’s world but not in reality.”

Gandhi’s remarks came after sections of his speech concerning the Agniveer scheme and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) were removed from the parliamentary records. He reiterated his commitment to speaking the truth, adding, “I said what I had to say, that is the truth. They can expunge as much as they want. Truth is truth.”

In defense of Gandhi’s speech, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad stated, “He had no ill-intent towards Hindus.” Prasad, however, acknowledged that the Speaker has the right to expunge statements that do not align with the Constitution.

During his speech in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Gandhi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating “systematic attacks” on the Constitution and the fundamental concept of India. He emphasized that millions of people have resisted the ruling party’s proposed ideas.

“I was attacked on the orders of Prime Minister Modi and the government. There were over 20 cases against me, a two-year jail sentence, my house was taken away, and I endured 55 hours of interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate,” Gandhi asserted.

As Gandhi displayed a picture of Lord Shiva during his speech, Speaker Om Birla reminded him that parliamentary rules prohibit the use of placards in the House.

Criticizing the Agnipath scheme for short-term military recruitment, Gandhi argued that the government fails to accord the status of “shaheed” (martyr) to those killed in action under this scheme, and does not provide compensation to their families.