BJP demands Rahul Gandhi’s resignation over USCIRF report “endorsement”

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday demanded that Leader of Opposition (Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi resign immediately for allegedly endorsing the latest annual report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

The report has recommended sanctions on the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

At a press conference, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, “India deserves a better leader of the Opposition who loves India, who is mature enough to handle the issues which are delicate.” He also sought an apology from Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

Stating that the report did not have any credibility, the BJP leader criticised Mr. Gandhi and the Congress party for “supporting” it. “The thinking that Pakistan has regarding the Indian agency R&AW is the same thinking that Rahul Gandhi also has...he is either immature or is deliberately opposing India, and his intent appears to be anti-India,” Mr. Bhatia said.

He said the report deserved to be thrown into the dustbin, “as an agency of this nature cannot issue certificates to India”. “Despite this, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi is relying on the endorsement of such an institution to claim that democracy in India has come to an end,” he said. Mr. Bhatia said since its establishment in 1968, the R&AW had consistently served the nation, with thousands of officers dedicating their lives to national security and many making the ultimate sacrifice for the country.

The BJP leader said the LoP might have political differences with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS, which is part of his democratic freedom. “However, the report makes a very serious claim by recommending that India be designated as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’, alleging systematic and serious violations of religious freedom in the country. It is extremely concerning that the Leader of the Opposition is supporting such a report,” he said.

“The Vice Chair of the report, Asif Mahmood, is a Pakistani-origin U.S. citizen, and it may not be surprising to expect a lack of neutrality from him regarding India,” added Mr. Bhatia.