Rahul Gandhi challenges Prime Minister Modi to debate anti-national accusations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking during a visit to the CRPF commando unit CoBRA in Karanpur, Chhattisgarh, warned that ideological supporters of the Naxal movement – which he called “dimagi Naxals” – have infiltrated political parties and other organisations to undermine the Constitution and democracy. He said the armed Naxalites have been largely eliminated, but the ideological threat persists and must be identified and defeated.

In response, Rahul Gandhi posted on X, quoting an ANI video of Modi’s remarks and tagging the Central Reserve Police Force. Gandhi wrote that the police “didn’t buy the PM’s lies” and challenged Modi to a debate on who is anti-national and who is influenced by foreign forces, adding that he would be willing to meet “any time, any place.”

Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh reacted to Gandhi’s challenge, with Khera noting that the need for courage would only be evident after a debate and Ramesh accusing the prime minister of using Diwali to target political rivals. The exchange occurs amid an opposition campaign demanding the removal of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision process.

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had criticized Gandhi for avoiding parliamentary debate on the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls, asserting that Gandhi “holds a copy of the Constitution in his hand but respects neither the document nor the position he holds.” Shah also said he was prepared to call a special parliamentary session to discuss alleged vote theft, but claimed Gandhi would not agree to it.