The BJP responded on Monday to statements by Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal criticizing the ruling party. It accused him of disliking India and noted his silence on post-election violence in West Bengal during 2021.
Sibal had said on Sunday he felt ashamed living in a country where the government allegedly undermines democratic foundations, citing an incident involving TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a video that Sibal earns large sums practicing at the Supreme Court yet claims shame about India. He highlighted Sibal’s lack of comment on 2021 violence that reportedly killed over 300 BJP and Congress workers, as well as cases such as RG Kar and Sandeshkhali.
Poonawalla noted political differences are acceptable but questioned why some opposition figures attack the country due to their opposition to the BJP. He referenced similar past remarks by Rahul Gandhi questioning institutions and seeking foreign involvement.
On the Banerjee incident, Poonawalla said no one justifies the heckling but claimed some arrested people had links to the Trinamool Congress, suggesting an internal matter. He accused sections of the opposition of portraying India negatively abroad because of their political stance against the BJP.
Another spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, called Sibal’s comments an insult to Indian voters and democracy.
