Congress President Rahul Gandhi was served a notice by the Election Commission for violation of the Model Code of Conduct over his objectionable remarks. Gandhi scion had made a libellous remark claiming that Narendra Modi has legislated a law allowing ‘shooting down’ of tribals. The Election Commission on Wednesday shot off a show cause notice to Congress President giving him 48 hours to explain himself.
The EC had received a complaint from Om Pathak, BJP, regarding the objectionable comment made by Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi had said, “Ab Narendra Modi ne naya kanoon banaya hai. Adivasiyon ke liye naya kanoon banaya hai, usmein ek line likhi hai ki adivasiyon ko goli se maara jaa sakta hai. Kanoon mein likha hai ki adivasiyon par akraman hoga, aapki zameen chhinte hai, jungle lete hai, jal lete hai aur phir kehte hai ki adivasiyon ko goli maar di jaa sakti hai”. (Now Narendra Modi has brought in a new law. New law for Adivasis has a line which states that Adivasis could be shot at. In the law, it is written, Adivasis could be attacked, they snatch away your land, your jungle, water and then say that adivasis could also be shot at.)
The EC, after examining the video clip and the transcript, found the statement to be in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The EC has given Rahul Gandhi 48 hours to provide an explanation in this regard, failing which, the EC will take a decision without further reference to him.
Rahul Gandhi, in his attempt to tarnish the Modi government, is trying to instil fear among a marginalised community. This is also the same language the Naxals use to induce fear among the tribals against the government. The Naxals have often resorted to distortions, lies and half-truths to incite tribals into picking up the arms in opposition to the establishment. Rahul Gandhi’s recent utterances will be used as fodder by the Naxals to further provoke the Adivasis into joining their ranks and also help them in justifying their violent methods among their local population.