BJP says the charge is baseless NEW DELHI: Congress and BJP sparred over the choice of Union minister Pralhad Joshi being given the charge of the education ministry, with leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi accusing him of defending rapists and BJP’s chief spokesperson Anil Baluni hitting back by accusing Rahul of distorting facts for an individual’s character assassination.Rahul alleged that Joshi had, in a TV interview a few years ago, justified the release of those convicted of the gang rape of Bilkis Bano during the 2002 Gujarat riots, and dubbed the Union minister a “filthy man”.The charge, made after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had expunged remarks by Rahul’s sister, Wayanad MP and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, drew a fierce response from Baluni, “This is unfortunate, deplorable and unacceptable.”Accusing Rahul of making “misleading and factually incorrect” statements about Joshi’s TV interview, the Pauri Garhwal MP said, “Joshi never tried to defend anybody. He was commenting on the process of remission and made no comment on the merits of the case.”Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Rahul said, “After all these young people protesting about the education system and so many girls protesting and being beaten and thrashed, BJP has given the charge of the ministry to a man who is a defender of rapists. There can be no filthier man than somebody who says rapists need protection. That is the education minister of India today.”He added, “It is strange. It’s a strange reaction from the Prime Minister. There are so many people in his cabinet. He could have chosen any one of them. But he chooses a person who protects rapists. It’s quite amazing.”Coming down hard on the Gandhi siblings, Baluni, head of BJP media cell, said the two should try to get their facts right and understand them. “They twist facts to suit what is convenient for them. They always make baseless charges to mislead people,” he said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Most Filthy Type Of Man’: Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi Attack Pralhad Joshi; Massive Ruckus In ParlWhy Delhi-NCR Flooded Again As Four Weather Systems Combined With Years Of Planning Failures’Students Want Justice, Not Charity’: Priyanka Gandhi’s Explosive Speech On Paper Leaks Rocks LSMizoram Minister Opens Up On Drug Menace, Myanmar Border, Disaster Readiness & Ties With Centre”You Removed One Pradhan To Save The PM”: Paper Leak Bill Triggers Massive Showdown In ParliamentPolice Diary Reportedly Reveals RAF Fired Anti-Riot Guns During Jantar Mantar Protest | WatchOnce A Fierce BJP Critic, Ex-TMC MP Saayoni Ghosh To Defend Centre’s Anti-paper Leak Bill | WatchModi Govt Tables Anti-Paper Leak Bill In Lok Sabha: Up To 10 Years Jail, ₹10 Cr Fine & MoreSupreme Court Backs Independent Probe Into Alleged Police Excesses During NEET Protests NationwidePM Modi’s Facebook Post Blocked: Is India’s Digital Sovereignty At Stake?123Photostories”I am a big fan of…”: Kareena Kapoor considers this vegetable a ‘superpower’ and gut-friendly; 7 ways to add it to your daily dietWhy you can’t stop checking your phone: Expert warns this anxiety habit may be fueling a harmful reassurance-seeking cycleAlways feeling mentally exhausted? These 8 simple daily habits can help clear your mindWorking out but still can’t lose belly fat? Doctor reveals why hormones, genetics and muscle loss make midlife weight loss so much harderYour refrigerator could be making vegetables unsafe: The storage mistakes experts say you should stop making todayOptical illusion personality test: The first thing that you spot helps you discover your hidden leadership talent7 yoga poses to manage neck pain10 baby names inspired by Norse mythologyFrom Windmill Cottage to his large car collection: 5 of the most expensive things that ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ star Robert Downey Jr ownsHow to identify fake Chikankari: 4 signs every shopper should know123Hot PicksH.C. VermaUddhav ThackerayMHT CET final merit listDelhi weatherWeather tomorrowe20 PetrolRajasthan Safai Karamchari recruitmentTN supplementary resultsSouth Korea KOSPI crashTop TrendingDelhi Red AlertNitin GadkariChhattisgarh MurderEknath Shinde New ProjectWeather TomorrowKhajuraho AirportDombivli Doctors Assault CaseChitrakoot Gang Rape CaseSuvendu AdhikariDelhi Police Dharna
NEW DELHI: Congress and BJP sparred over the choice of Union minister Pralhad Joshi being given the charge of the education ministry, with leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi accusing him of defending rapists and BJP’s chief spokesperson Anil Baluni hitting back by accusing Rahul of distorting facts for an individual’s character assassination.Rahul alleged that Joshi had, in a TV interview a few years ago, justified the release of those convicted of the gang rape of Bilkis Bano during the 2002 Gujarat riots, and dubbed the Union minister a “filthy man”.The charge, made after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had expunged remarks by Rahul’s sister, Wayanad MP and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, drew a fierce response from Baluni, “This is unfortunate, deplorable and unacceptable.”Accusing Rahul of making “misleading and factually incorrect” statements about Joshi’s TV interview, the Pauri Garhwal MP said, “Joshi never tried to defend anybody. He was commenting on the process of remission and made no comment on the merits of the case.”Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Rahul said, “After all these young people protesting about the education system and so many girls protesting and being beaten and thrashed, BJP has given the charge of the ministry to a man who is a defender of rapists. There can be no filthier man than somebody who says rapists need protection. That is the education minister of India today.”He added, “It is strange. It’s a strange reaction from the Prime Minister. There are so many people in his cabinet. He could have chosen any one of them. But he chooses a person who protects rapists. It’s quite amazing.”Coming down hard on the Gandhi siblings, Baluni, head of BJP media cell, said the two should try to get their facts right and understand them. “They twist facts to suit what is convenient for them. They always make baseless charges to mislead people,” he said.
