Rahul Gandhi further alleged that there were primarily two objectives behind this move: "First, to alter the country's electoral map; and second, to project the Prime Minister as pro-women."
Taking a jibe at the Prime Minister without explicitly naming him, Rahul remarked, "The truth is, the magician has been caught. The deeds of the magician behind Balakot, demonetization, and 'Operation Sindoor' have finally come to light."
Immediately following these remarks, BJP MPs registered a strong protest in the Lok Sabha. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju alleged that Rahul Gandhi had used undignified language while referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He further claimed that, by dragging in references to the Balakot airstrike and "Operation Sindoor," Rahul had also insulted the country's armed forces. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appealed to Speaker Om Birla to expunge Rahul's remarks from the parliamentary records.
He stated that using such language directed at the Prime Minister was "highly objectionable" and condemnable. Additionally, Rajnath Singh argued that the repeated use of the word "magician" demonstrated disrespect toward the people of the country. As tensions escalated in the House, Speaker Om Birla intervened, declaring that such language would not be tolerated within Parliament. He, in turn, directed Rahul Gandhi to confine his remarks to the core subject under discussion.
However, even amidst the BJP's protests, Rahul hit back at the ruling dispensation, asserting that the BJP was attempting to conflate itself with the country and its armed forces. He stated, "You are not the people of India; nor are you the armed forces. You are a political party. We are not attacking the people of the country or the army; we are attacking *you*. You are hiding behind the army."
However, amidst the heated arguments of the day, Rahul was also heard cracking jokes in a lighthearted mood. In a light vein, Rahul Gandhi remarked that neither he nor the Prime Minister had "any issues regarding their wives."
Notably, Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Central Government during the debate on the 'Women's Reservation Bill.' The Congress MP from Raebareli alleged, "The Women's Reservation Bill passed in Parliament in 2023 was, in itself, the substantive legislation on this matter.
However, the current move to link this Bill with seat readjustment—or 'delimitation'—is primarily aimed at altering the country's electoral map."
Rahul Gandhi further alleged that the BJP is making a concerted effort to redraw India's political map. In this context, he cited various measures previously undertaken in Assam and Jammu & Kashmir, claiming that the BJP government harbors the exact same plan for the entire country.
Rahul Gandhi asserted, "Implementing this plan would necessitate an amendment to the Constitution." He alleged that this move has been orchestrated with the specific objective of diminishing the parliamentary representation of the southern states, the northeastern states, and the relatively smaller states, all in an effort to perpetuate the BJP's hold on power.
The Congress MP declared, "You are telling the northeastern states—you are telling India's smaller states—that, in the interest of keeping the BJP in power, we are going to strip away your representation. This amounts to nothing less than an anti-national act."
Rahul Gandhi branded the 'Women's Reservation Bill' as an "anti-national act." Reassuring MPs from all opposition parties, Rahul affirmed, "We will, under no circumstances, allow this anti-national Bill to be passed."