Amit Shah Targets Rahul Gandhi Over Parliament Protest, Says ‘Eating Pakoras on Steps Defames India’

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Sunday, accusing him of disrespecting India’s democratic institutions and damaging the country’s image internationally. Shah alleged that Rahul Gandhi had staged protests at the entrance of Parliament while drinking tea and eating pakoras, which he claimed was inappropriate for such an important national institution.

Speaking at a public gathering in Guwahati, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader criticized Gandhi’s protest style and questioned whether the Congress leader understood the significance of Parliament as the highest democratic institution in India.

“Rahul Gandhi sometimes sits on the steps at the entrance of Parliament, drinking tea and eating pakoras. Does he not know where breakfast should be eaten?” Shah asked while addressing the crowd.

He further emphasized that Parliament represents the core of India’s democratic framework and that such behavior during protests diminishes the dignity associated with the institution.

“The Parliament is the highest institution of our democracy. Even sitting there and protesting is not a democratic practice. But you have gone two steps further — you are sitting there eating tea and pakoras. This defames India across the world,” Shah said.

Amit Shah Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Criticising India

During his speech, Amit Shah also accused Rahul Gandhi of going beyond political criticism and allegedly targeting the country itself while attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government.

According to the Home Minister, Gandhi’s political statements increasingly portray India in a negative light on the global stage.

“While opposing Modi ji and the BJP, Rahul Gandhi has now started opposing India itself,” Shah claimed.

Shah further alleged that Gandhi frequently avoids participating in parliamentary debates, choosing protest tactics instead of engaging in discussions within the House.

“You can oppose us. You can oppose the government. Protest as much as you want. But instead of speaking in Parliament, you run away,” Shah said, accusing the Congress leader of avoiding debate.

Reference to the Global Artificial Intelligence Summit

The Home Minister also referred to a recent global Artificial Intelligence summit hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Shah described the event as one of the largest international gatherings focused on artificial intelligence.

According to Shah, the summit was attended by heads of state from 22 countries and senior executives from companies representing around 80 nations.

He claimed that the French President had praised the event as the most successful AI summit ever organized and noted that several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the meeting.

However, Shah alleged that the Congress party attempted to create controversy during the summit by staging protests that, according to him, were designed to embarrass India in front of international delegates.

He also criticized Rahul Gandhi for allegedly supporting individuals who protested outside the summit venue.

“Instead of apologizing, Rahul Gandhi referred to those protesters as his ‘babbar sher’,” Shah said, claiming that such remarks were inappropriate during a global event meant to showcase India’s technological capabilities.

Shah Says Such Actions Harm India’s Global Image

According to Amit Shah, protests during major international events undermine India’s reputation at a time when the country is attempting to position itself as a global technology and innovation hub.

“When people from across the world come to witness India’s strength and the potential of our youth, such actions reduce those opportunities,” Shah said.

He added that citizens of the country would not support political actions that he believes could harm India’s global image.

Shah Criticises Congress’ Past Governance

In his address, Amit Shah also criticised the Congress party’s past governance, particularly focusing on the development of the Northeast region and the healthcare system in Assam.

Shah claimed that the healthcare infrastructure in the region had been in poor condition when Congress was in power at the Centre.

He argued that despite ruling the country for several decades, the Congress party had failed to prioritise the welfare of citizens, especially in critical sectors such as healthcare.

According to Shah, the previous administrations were more focused on protecting the interests of certain political families rather than improving public services for the people.

The remarks came as part of a broader political attack by the BJP leader against the Congress party and its leadership ahead of upcoming political developments in the region.