BJP accuses Sonia Gandhi of crying over Babri demolition, not kar sevaks

New Delhi: Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday criticised Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi over her recollection of the Babri Masjid demolition, questioning why she had not expressed similar grief over the deaths of kar sevaks during the Ram temple movement.

Speaking to IANS, Singh alleged that the Congress had consistently engaged in minority appeasement and accused Gandhi of showing concern selectively over incidents involving religious communities.

He also questioned her commitment to India and made allegations regarding the period she spent in the country before acquiring Indian citizenship. Singh claimed that she had lived in India for more than 12 years without citizenship and accused her of voting during that period.

His remarks followed Gandhi's account in her forthcoming memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', scheduled for release on November 10. In an interview, she recalled breaking down while watching the Babri Masjid being demolished in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992. The book also revisits the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975.

Singh also targeted Samajwadi Party leader Sanatan Pandey over his defence of the police firing on kar sevaks during Mulayam Singh Yadav's tenure as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. He accused the Samajwadi Party leadership, including Akhilesh Yadav, of following similar vote-bank politics.

Separately, Singh criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his Diwali greetings, alleging that his remarks reflected the political positions of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership. He accused the party of prioritising minority appeasement.

With IANS inputs