Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Criticizes Congress-NC Alliance and Rahul Gandhi
Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], September 19: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched a sharp attack on the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that people who want to bring back Article 370 will be taught a lesson by the public. He drew parallels to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, questioning if the Congress-NC alliance wanted such terror events to be repeated.
Shinde said, “They (the Congress-NC alliance) talk about bringing back Article 370. Do they want to bring back the terror sponsored by Pakistan? Do they want 26/11 to be repeated? In the coming times, the people of the country will teach them a lesson. Those who talk about bringing back Article 370 will be taught a lesson by the people.”
The CM also criticized Delhi’s Chief Minister-designate, Atishi, alleging that her family had written mercy petitions to cancel the death sentence of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. “Supporters of Afzal Guru now stand to become the Chief Minister of Delhi…Their (Atishi’s) family members said that Afzal Guru should not be hanged,” Shinde added.
On Wednesday, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal had alleged that Delhi Chief Minister-designate Atishi’s parents had close ties with SAR Geelani, who was accused in the 2001 Parliament attack case but was later acquitted by the Supreme Court.
Criticizing Rahul Gandhi for remarks made during his US visit, CM Shinde questioned whether it is appropriate to criticize the country while abroad. “Rahul Gandhi goes to other countries and insults his own country. He says nothing while living in India. Is this morally correct?” he asked.
During his interaction with the Indian diaspora in the US, Rahul Gandhi had said that the fight was about whether a Sikh would be allowed to wear a turban in India and visit a Gurdwara. “First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. The fight is not about politics; it is superficial. What is your name? The fight is about whether he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India. Or if he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear a Kada in India. Or if a Sikh is going to be able to go to a Gurdwara. That’s what the fight is about, and it’s not just for him, but for all religions,” Rahul Gandhi had said.
Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s comments on reservations, CM Shinde further said that Congress workers should protest in front of Rahul Gandhi’s house. “They (Congress) say that they will remove reservation. Do they have the right to remove reservations? Congress people should protest in front of Rahul Gandhi’s house. This is condemnable,” he said.
Doubts Revealed
Maharashtra CM -: Maharashtra CM means the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, which is a state in India. The Chief Minister is like the head of the state government.
Eknath Shinde -: Eknath Shinde is the current Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He is a politician who leads the state government.
Congress-NC Alliance -: The Congress-NC Alliance is a partnership between two political parties in India: the Indian National Congress and the National Conference. They work together for elections and other political activities.
Article 370 -: Article 370 was a special law that gave Jammu and Kashmir its own constitution and autonomy. It was removed in 2019, meaning Jammu and Kashmir now follow the same laws as the rest of India.
Jammu and Kashmir -: Jammu and Kashmir is a region in northern India. It has been a point of conflict between India and Pakistan.
26/11 Mumbai attacks -: The 26/11 Mumbai attacks were a series of terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, in November 2008. Many people were killed and injured during these attacks.
Delhi’s Chief Minister-designate Atishi -: Atishi is a politician who was chosen to be the next Chief Minister of Delhi, which is the capital city of India.
Afzal Guru -: Afzal Guru was a man convicted for his role in the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament. He was executed in 2013.
Rahul Gandhi -: Rahul Gandhi is a prominent Indian politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. He is known for his speeches and political activities.
US visit -: A US visit means traveling to the United States of America. In this context, it refers to Rahul Gandhi’s trip to the USA where he made some comments.
reservations -: Reservations in India refer to a system where a certain percentage of seats in education and jobs are reserved for people from lower castes and disadvantaged communities to help them get equal opportunities.
