The Congress office at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan in Ahmedabad was targeted by activists from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal late Monday night. The attackers defaced posters and photos of Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, with black ink.
This incident was a reaction to Gandhi's remarks in Parliament, where he suggested that those identifying as Hindus are constantly engaged in violence and spreading hatred, referring to the Sangh Pariwar allied groups. He also clarified that neither Narendra Modi, the BJP nor the RSS represent the entire Hindu community.
The ruling NDA government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sharply criticized Gandhi's comments. Modi accused Gandhi of insulting the Hindu community, labelling his statement as a serious issue. This backlash from the government set off a chain of events, culminating in the VHP and Bajrang Dal's violent demonstration.
In Ahmedabad, activists armed with black spray bottles vandalized the Congress office while chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram’ slogans. The attack, which occurred under the cover of darkness, has been widely condemned by the Congress party.
Hemang Rawal, spokesperson for the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, described the incident as a cowardly act by individuals he referred to as "fake Hindus." Rawal challenged the perpetrators to confront the Congress in broad daylight, emphasizing that the party upholds the values of truth and non-violence.
Rawal also defended Gandhi's stance, noting that Gandhi's remarks in Parliament aimed to distinguish between true Hinduism and those who misuse the religion to justify violence. To underscore this point, Gandhi brought and worshipped an image of Lord Shiva in Parliament. Rawal reiterated Gandhi's assertion that only cowards resort to violence, affirming the Congress party's commitment to peaceful principles.
In response to the attack, the Congress party plans to seek legal advice on filing a complaint against those responsible. The incident also involved physical violence, with reports of the office's security guard, his wife, and his daughter being manhandled and beaten by the activists. The Congress party is determined to pursue legal action and maintain its stance against violence and intimidation.