Rahul Gandhi has urban Naxal mindset, says Giriraj Singh over Vande Mataram 'disrespect' row

New Delhi: Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of "disrespecting" the national song 'Vande Mataram' during the Independence Day celebrations and alleging that the Congress leader has an "urban Naxal" mindset. Singh's remarks came amid the controversy surrounding the Congress party's Independence Day celebrations at its headquarters, where senior party leaders were seen interacting even as the national song 'Vande Mataram' was being played.

Gandhi and Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge also did not attend the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. Speaking to IANS, Singh said, "Rahul Gandhi's nature is that either he is in deep frustration, or he is under mental stress, or he has urban Naxalism in his mind. Because, till date, whatever he does is to bring devastation and chaos to the country. Whenever he goes abroad, I would urge the media to pull up all his speeches and statements.

Whenever he visits America, he works on the agenda of George Soros. Soros's agenda is to divide India, destroy India, and strip India of all his power." The Union Minister further questioned how Gandhi could be expected to respect the national song if, according to him, the Congress leader does not respect the country or believe in the concept of Bharat Mata. "Whenever Rahul Gandhi goes abroad and disrespects India, how can we expect such a person to respect 'Vande Mataram'? How can he believe in 'Vande Mataram' when he does not believe in Bharat Mata? He only knows how to stage a drama and disrespect people," Singh said. "It is unfortunate that the country has a political joker like Rahul Gandhi as a LoP," the Union Minister added, intensifying his criticism of the Congress leader. Singh also hit out at Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge's allegation that the government had pushed the youth of the country towards a "dead end".

Responding to Kharge's remarks, Singh said, "Congress means Rahul Gandhi. Kharge is not Congress; keep that in mind." The Union Minister went on to accuse Gandhi of creating confusion among the youth instead of providing them with direction and constructive guidance. "One can check, look at even a single statement of Rahul Gandhi where he might have spoken about giving direction to any youth. Creating confusion in the country, instigating the youth, wishing that someday the country turns into Bangladesh, or someday becomes like Nepal, harbouring only such desires," he added.