Guwahati, March 15: Amit Shah on March 15 accused the Indian National Congress of “defaming” the country after members of the party’s youth wing staged a shirtless protest during the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
Addressing a public rally in Guwahati, Shah said the opposition has the right to protest but criticised the choice of venue, describing the summit as an international platform meant to highlight India’s technological progress.
“Congress has tried to defame the country by removing clothes at the AI Summit. We are all in politics, and we were also in opposition, but there is a place for it,” Shah said.
The Union Home Minister also targeted Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, alleging that his opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Party had turned into opposition to the country itself.
“I want to tell Rahul Gandhi that in your opposition to Narendra Modi and the BJP, you have started to oppose India,” Shah said, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shah further criticised Gandhi for defending the protesters, referring to remarks in which the Congress leader described the workers who demonstrated half-naked as “lion-hearted”.
“Instead of apologising, Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress workers who protested half-nakedly are lion-hearted. I don’t think any responsible political party will do that,” Shah said.
Challenging the Congress to oppose the BJP politically, Shah said protests of this nature on international platforms could damage India’s image.
“You can oppose us with all your might, but where the whole world comes to see India’s youth strength, there you are narrowing their possibilities. India’s public will not forgive you,” he said.
During the rally, Shah also praised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in Assam, saying the state is moving toward becoming self-sufficient in the sector.
“He wants to make Assam such that not a single patient has to go outside Assam to seek treatment,” Shah said, adding that patients who earlier travelled to cities such as Chennai, Mumbai, Karnataka and New Delhi for specialised care, particularly cancer treatment, would increasingly be able to receive treatment within the state.
As part of his visit, Shah inaugurated the Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital and also opened cancer care centres in Golaghat and Tinsukia.
He additionally laid the foundation stones for super-speciality hospitals at Diphu Medical College and Hospital, Jorhat Medical College and Hospital and Barpeta Medical College and Hospital. Foundations were also laid for the Swasthya Bhawan at Sixmile and for the district hospital in Abhayapuri.
