Union Minister calls out Rahul Gandhi's insensitive comment.
Union Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday slammed Rahul Gandhi's insensitive comment about paying IAF officers if they die in a plane crash. Rahul Gandhi during his Rafale press conference on Friday had said that Rs 30,000 crore which he claims is the alleged amount of corruption in the deal could have been used in various purposes. While listing out the utility of that money, he said that it could also be used if IAF pilots die in a plane crash.
This lead to massive outrage on social media and many people accused Rahul Gandhi of being insensitive towards men in uniform. Some also listed out previous examples where Rahul Gandhi had made such rash comments.
Reacting to the entire incident, Union Minister Smriti Irani took strong exception to Congress President's statement. Irani who has had several run-ins with Rahul Gandhi in the past said that such comment reveals Rahul Gandhi's thought process.
Smriti Irani said."Ye (Rahul Gandhi) vo sajjan hain,jo ek sarvajanik manch par baith ke kehte hai ki agar tum shaheed ho jaoge toh main paise de dunga.Rajneeti chhodkar manavta ki dristi se dekhein toh iss sajjan ki mansikta ka ye sanket hai,'haan thik hai mar jaoge,paise bhej dunga'".
She said that Rahul Gandhi who is a public figure said that if you die, we will send money. Even if you leave politics aside and think in terms of humanity, the mindset of Rahul Gandhi reveals that he believes, " If you die, we will send money".
Irani fought unsuccessfully from Amethi in the last Lok Sabha election. However, she has continued to stay in touch with people of Amethi though out the entire tenure of the Lok Sabha. Congress President Rahul Gandhi is the current MLA from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.
With ANI inputs
1. What exactly was the Rahul Gandhi quote?
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Rahul Gandhi while trying to appeal to IAF men regarding the alleged corruption in the Rafale scam said, "My friends in the Air Force, this Rs 30,000 crore could have been used for your safety. This Rs 30,000 crore could have been given to your families. This Rs 30,000 crore could be given to you, when you die in a plane crash. This is your money. This is your money, this is not the money of Anil Ambani.
LIVE: Congress President @RahulGandhi addresses media on Rafale scam. #PakdaGayaModi https://t.co/33vWKJbGFB
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 8, 2019
The exact reference can be found between 6.06-6.10 minutes.
2. Watch: Smriti slams Rahul over off-the-cuff remark
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#WATCH: Union Minister Smriti Irani says,"Ye (Rahul Gandhi) vo sajjan hain,jo ek sarvajanik manch par baith ke kehte hai ki agar tum shaheed ho jaoge toh main paise de dunga." pic.twitter.com/gUsU1Fz0Vk
— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2019
Smriti Irani said that this impromptu statement showed the personal thought process of the Congress President.
3. Twitter didn't take Rahul's remarks too well
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Many Twitter users were aghast with Rahul Gandhi's statement. Some of them who have lost their near and dear ones, or their friends in such crash said that they are deeply hurt by Rahul Gandhi's rather casual remarks about plane crash.
While the Congress President may not have intentionally tried to hurt feelings, but his assertion certainly lead to many feeling angry.
This hurts....very deeply....to devalue the lives of our courageous and selfless air warriors and nations defenders by linking it to monetary gain.... we have lost so many friends and such statements reopen wounds. Please respect and recognize sacrifices without talking money.
— Meghna Girish (@megirish2001) February 9, 2019
My brother died in the 96 dec 24 crash, leaving behind a young wife and an 10 month old daughter. We appreciate Nidhi's article for having captured our emotions perfectly.
— Anand |ஆனந்த்| आनंद (@anand_2000v) February 8, 2019
