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Journalism of Courage
Seeking to make the best of the requirement that disqualified Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi vacate his official bungalow, the Congress on Saturday rallied behind its leader as he did the formal handing over of his 12, Tughlaq Lane, residence — complete with the hashtag #MeraGharAapkaGhar.
Senior leader Shashi Tharoor called it an “exemplary gesture” by Rahul, while the Congress said he resides in the hearts of the people. Rahul had been disqualified as MP after his conviction and sentencing for two years in a defamation case. His appeal against it in the sessions court was rejected two days ago, and the Congress is planning to move the Gujarat High Court now.
With the #MeraGharAapkaGhar hashtag, the Congress tweeted: “This country is the home of Rahul Gandhi. Rahul who resides in the hearts of people. Rahul whose relation with the public is unbreakable. Some see in him their son, some brother, some their leader… Rahul belongs to everyone and everyone belongs to Rahul. This is the reason why today the country is saying — Rahul ji, my house is your house (#MeraGharAapkaGhar).”
After handing over the keys to Lok Sabha secretariat officials, Rahul, addressing the media, said: “People of Hindustan gave me this house for 19 years, I want to thank them. But the house was snatched away from me. Nowadays, there is a price for speaking the truth. I am ready to pay any price for speaking the truth.”
When asked as to where he would stay now, the Congress leader said, “I’ll stay with my mother and ex-Congress president (Sonia Gandhi) at 10 Janpath for some time. Then, we’ll figure out something.”
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was present at Rahul’s residence Saturday, took a dig at the BJP-led Central government, saying such moves would not deter her brother. “Whatever my brother is saying is the truth. He spoke the truth about the government because of which he is suffering. However, we are not afraid,” she said.
Tharoor said: “Today @RahulGandhi vacates his home at TughlaqLane in response to the LokSabha Secretariat’s order. The Court gave him 30 days to appeal &the HC or SC could still reinstate him, but his exemplary gesture to move out shows his respect for the rules. #Respect #MeraGharAapkaGhar.”
Congress MP K C Venugopal wrote: “They may evict you from a house, but you will always have a place in all our homes and hearts, Rahul ji. We know that such episodes won’t deter you from raising the voice of the people and speak truth to power! The whole country today is saying #MeraGharAapkaGhar in one voice!”
Calling him a true leader who fights for the truth, senior party leader and noted lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi said: “Rahul Gandhi is vacating the house but our hearts are filled with tears. A true leader fighting the battle of truth.”
Sharing a video of Rahul walking out of his house, Pawan Khera wrote on Twitter: “My leader inspires all of us to be unwavering in the resolve to uphold what we stand for.”
The BJP counter charge was led by the party’s IT head Amit Malviya, who shared a video of Rahul from Saturday, and said: “Rahul Gandhi wipes his hand (on pants) after shaking hands with his house staff. These men/women must have served him over the years. Such disdain…”
