‘You have ruined your role as LoP’: Yogi Adityanath slams Rahul over Manusmriti remarks

Raebareli (UP): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks on Manusmriti, accusing him of denouncing India’s traditions and heritage and failing to fulfil his responsibilities as the Leader of Opposition.

Speaking at an event in Raebareli to mark the 222nd birth anniversary of 1857 uprising leader Rana Beni Madhav Baksh Singh, Adityanath said Gandhi was accountable to the country’s democracy as Leader of Opposition.

"You have taken an oath on the Constitution and, after taking that oath, you consider it your birthright to denounce India's traditions and heritage. When you go outside Uttar Pradesh, you defame and insult Uttar Pradesh, and when you go outside India, you insult India," he said.

Raebareli is Gandhi’s Lok Sabha constituency. His mother, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, represented the seat for two decades before moving to the Rajya Sabha in 2024.

Adityanath attacks Rahul over Manusmriti remarks

Adityanath criticised Gandhi’s recent comments on the Manusmriti, made during an interaction with girl students in Maharashtra on Saturday.

Gandhi had spoken about the need to challenge what he described as a "Manusmriti mindset", urged the students to "smash patriarchy" and said women belonged to themselves rather than to their fathers, husbands or sons.

Responding to the remarks, Adityanath said Gandhi should study ancient Indian texts to understand Manu.

"You comment on Manu, Ram or India's heritage. If you want to know about Manu, read the Atharvaveda, Shatapatha Brahmana and Matsya Purana. You will get all the information," he said.

The chief minister also questioned Gandhi’s comments about women breaking free from the "bondage" of Manusmriti and asked why he wanted to lead the younger generation towards a situation where families would later have to apologise for their actions.
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'You have ruined your role as Leader of Opposition'

Adityanath said the country expected Gandhi to play a constructive role as Leader of Opposition but accused him of failing in that responsibility.

"As the Leader of Opposition in India's Parliament, the country's highest panchayat, you are accountable to the country's democracy," he said.

"Remember, if India's institutions are put in the dock, every citizen of India will stand in the dock," he added.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister also accused Gandhi of making remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi that, according to him, amounted to insulting an institution rather than an individual.

"The prime minister is not an individual; the prime minister is an institution of India," he said.

Adityanath raises Army, Ayodhya and Emergency

Adityanath also criticised Gandhi over his past political positions on national security, terrorism and the Ayodhya issue.

"Whenever the Indian Army fights enemies on the borders, you demand proof from the soldiers. In the country's fight against terrorism, you directly or indirectly encourage anti-national elements. In Ayodhya, your party raises questions over the existence of Lord Ram. And what is your commitment to democracy? The country saw that during the Emergency in 1975".

He also referred to a recent protest at Jantar Mantar and criticised the language used against the prime minister, saying the individuals involved later apologised.

The chief minister further questioned Gandhi’s association with what he described as "urban Naxals".

"Why do you want to ruin the future of India's present generation at the hands of urban Naxals? Why do you want to destroy India's heritage? Why do you want to play with India's future?" he asked.
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Attack on Congress and Gandhi family

Adityanath also accused the Congress and the Gandhi family of having "looted this country for the longest period" and alleged that the family had misrepresented aspects of India’s freedom struggle.

He criticised the Congress for referring to the Kakori action as a "train robbery", noting that it has now been officially described as the "Kakori Train Action". The 1925 action involved revolutionaries looting British treasury funds to support the freedom movement.

"Your family is accused of getting India partitioned," Adityanath said, while accusing the Congress of undermining Indian democracy.

He also alleged that the party had disrespected freedom fighters including Vinayak Savarkar, Subhas Chandra Bose and Vallabhbhai Patel while glorifying those who opposed the revolutionaries.
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Raebareli, Amethi 'bore burden' of one family

Adityanath also targeted the Nehru-Gandhi family over its long association with Raebareli and Amethi, saying the two Congress strongholds had "continued to bear the burden" of the family.

"These people liked the idea that all memorials and institutions here should be named after just one family. But whether it was Rana Beni Madhav Baksh Singh, Lalchand Swarnkar or the great warrior Veera Pasi, neither you nor your generation ever thought about them," he said.

Adityanath was speaking at the inauguration of a memorial auditorium named after Rana Beni Madhav Baksh Singh. The facility was constructed at a cost of more than ₹21 crore.

He also paid tribute to the 1857 freedom fighter and his associates, including revolutionary Veera Pasi.