Rahul Gandhi NEW DELHI: Minutes after accusing the Centre of having “sold out Bharat Mata” from the floor of the House, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, went on to interrupt the ministers outside. The interuption happened when ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Prahlad Joshi stood outside the House, speaking to the reporters. Vaishnaw was speaking about the safety of data of the Indians and how Rahul Gandhi should authenticate the statements before making big charges against the Centre in the House.As the IT minister spoke, Rahul Gandhi walked up to him from behind and started speaking.”Come, let’s stand together. Let’s do it together,” the Congress leader said as the ministers walked away.Earlier the day, Rahul alleged that the India–US interim trade deal amounted to a “wholesale surrender” and accused the Centre of having “sold Bharat Mata”, compromising the country’s energy security and farmers’ interests.Speaking in the debate on the Union Budget, Rahul said he did not believe that any Indian prime minister, including Narendra Modi, would agree to such a deal unless there was a “chokehold” on him.”Why has he (Modi) sold India – because they (the US) are choking him. They have a grip on his neck,” Gandhi said, beginning his speech with a martial arts analogy in which a grip is followed by a chokehold until the opponent taps out.He referred to earlier remarks by PM Modi and NSA Ajit Doval that the era of war is over. “In fact, we are moving into the era of war. War is there in Ukraine, war was there in Gaza, war is there in the Middle East, threat of war is there in Iran, we had Operation Sindoor.””We are moving into a dangerous world. We have to understand our strengths, and the central strength of our country is our people,” he said, stressing the need to safeguard the country’s people, data, food supply and energy systems.Rahul said that had an INDIA bloc government negotiated the agreement, it would have insisted on parity with the United States.”The first thing we would say (to Trump) is that the most important asset in this equation is Indian data. If the US wants to protect the dollar, it must recognise that Indian data is the biggest asset. Second thing, we would say to President Trump is that ‘if you want access to it, then you will talk to us as an equal, not talk to us as if we are your servants’,” he said.He added that an INDIA bloc government would have declared energy security non-negotiable. “The third thing, we would have told President Trump is that ‘we understand you have agricultural voter base, you need to protect farmers, but we will also protect our farmers’,” he said.”An INDIA bloc government would say that data is our biggest strength, and now let us talk. We would go there (for negotiating) as an equal. We will not be made equal to Pakistan. If President Trump decided that Pakistan Army chief will have breakfast with him, we will have something to say about it,” he added.Tje Congress claimed that under the interim deal, India’s energy security had effectively been ceded to the US.”They will decide who we buy oil from, our PM will not decide. They will monitor, and if India buys oil (from where they don’t want us to), they will punish us and take tariffs to 50 per cent,” he said.Accusing the government of enabling “energy and financial weaponisation”, Gandhi said it had allowed Americans to weaponise “our finance and our energy against us”.”How can you come to this House and defend this? Are you not ashamed of what you are giving away?” he asked.”I am saying you have sold India. Are you not ashamed of selling India? You have sold our mother – Bharat Mata. Do you have no shame?” he said.Treasury bench MPs repeatedly objected, calling the allegations “baseless” and asking Gandhi to authenticate his claims. Gandhi said he was willing to comply.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosEntertainment Value Or Evidence? Hardeep Puri Blasts Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Buffoonery’ On Epstein FilesMuhammad Yunus Assures Smooth Handover Ahead Of Bangladesh’s First Elections After Hasina Exit”If You Had Taken My Advice” Jagdambika Pal Responds To Rahul Gandhi’s Ex-Congress Jab“Will Move Privilege Notice Against Rahul Gandhi”: BJP Slams Rahul Over ‘Baseless Allegations’BJP MP Counters Rahul Gandhi’s Trade Deal Attack, Anurag Thakur Says Grip Talk Exposed WeaknessLok Sabha Sees Massive Ruckus As Rahul Gandhi Mentions Epstein Files, Adani Case; Slams PM ModiIndia’s New Rule Mandates Full ‘Vande Mataram’ National Song Before ‘Jana Gana Mana’ National AnthemUS Deletes India Map Showing PoK, Aksai Chin As Part Of Country After Trade Deal Post Sparks Debate’You Sold Bharat Mata’: Rahul Gandhi’s Sharp Attack At PM Modi, ‘Not Your Servant’ Message To TrumpRafale Expansion Plan Gains Momentum Ahead Of French President Macron’s High Stakes India Visit123Photostories10 traditional local dishes from Hyderabad that are a must-tryArchana Puran Singh and Parmeet Sethi open up about their parenthood journey; son Aaryamann says, “I have had the worst depression, won’t wish it on anyone”Ahead of ‘O’Romeo’ release, take a look at Shahid Kapoor’s 7 highest-grossing films; ‘Padmaavat’ to ‘Kabir Singh’7 biggest movie references in the 2026 Olympics figure skating competition: ‘Dune’, ‘Interstellar’ and more‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, ‘Dhol’, ‘Chup Chup Ke’: Rajpal Yadav’s films that cemented his status as Bollywood’s comedy powerhouse5 luxury interior ideas to borrow from Shah Rukh Khan’s MannatExplained! 5 most expensive places to live in 20268 ways to enjoy sweet potato for evening snacks with chai’Jai Ho’ on the move: India’s first musical road hits Mumbai’s Coastal driveNarayana Murthy to Warren Buffet: How 5 millionaires and billionaires save money (And how you can too)123Hot PicksMumbai Mayor SelectionGold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionBharat BandhIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingEngland vs West Indies Live ScoreScott NiedermayerBengaluru Techie MurderMM NaravaneKhwaja AsifBengaluru Businessman Bank Account HackedKiren RijijuHind Al OwaisBOB Assistant Admit CardWhen JEE Main Result Out
NEW DELHI: Minutes after accusing the Centre of having “sold out Bharat Mata” from the floor of the House, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, went on to interrupt the ministers outside. The interuption happened when ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Prahlad Joshi stood outside the House, speaking to the reporters. Vaishnaw was speaking about the safety of data of the Indians and how Rahul Gandhi should authenticate the statements before making big charges against the Centre in the House.As the IT minister spoke, Rahul Gandhi walked up to him from behind and started speaking.“Come, let’s stand together. Let’s do it together,” the Congress leader said as the ministers walked away.Earlier the day, Rahul alleged that the India–US interim trade deal amounted to a “wholesale surrender” and accused the Centre of having “sold Bharat Mata”, compromising the country’s energy security and farmers’ interests.Speaking in the debate on the Union Budget, Rahul said he did not believe that any Indian prime minister, including Narendra Modi, would agree to such a deal unless there was a “chokehold” on him.“Why has he (Modi) sold India – because they (the US) are choking him. They have a grip on his neck,” Gandhi said, beginning his speech with a martial arts analogy in which a grip is followed by a chokehold until the opponent taps out.He referred to earlier remarks by PM Modi and NSA Ajit Doval that the era of war is over. “In fact, we are moving into the era of war. War is there in Ukraine, war was there in Gaza, war is there in the Middle East, threat of war is there in Iran, we had Operation Sindoor.”“We are moving into a dangerous world. We have to understand our strengths, and the central strength of our country is our people,” he said, stressing the need to safeguard the country’s people, data, food supply and energy systems.Rahul said that had an INDIA bloc government negotiated the agreement, it would have insisted on parity with the United States.“The first thing we would say (to Trump) is that the most important asset in this equation is Indian data. If the US wants to protect the dollar, it must recognise that Indian data is the biggest asset. Second thing, we would say to President Trump is that ‘if you want access to it, then you will talk to us as an equal, not talk to us as if we are your servants’,” he said.He added that an INDIA bloc government would have declared energy security non-negotiable. “The third thing, we would have told President Trump is that ‘we understand you have agricultural voter base, you need to protect farmers, but we will also protect our farmers’,” he said.“An INDIA bloc government would say that data is our biggest strength, and now let us talk. We would go there (for negotiating) as an equal. We will not be made equal to Pakistan. If President Trump decided that Pakistan Army chief will have breakfast with him, we will have something to say about it,” he added.Tje Congress claimed that under the interim deal, India’s energy security had effectively been ceded to the US.“They will decide who we buy oil from, our PM will not decide. They will monitor, and if India buys oil (from where they don’t want us to), they will punish us and take tariffs to 50 per cent,” he said.Accusing the government of enabling “energy and financial weaponisation”, Gandhi said it had allowed Americans to weaponise “our finance and our energy against us”.“How can you come to this House and defend this? Are you not ashamed of what you are giving away?” he asked.“I am saying you have sold India. Are you not ashamed of selling India? You have sold our mother – Bharat Mata. Do you have no shame?” he said.Treasury bench MPs repeatedly objected, calling the allegations “baseless” and asking Gandhi to authenticate his claims. Gandhi said he was willing to comply.
