BJP Defends Amit Malviya Amid Row Over Remarks on Indira and Rajiv Gandhi Assassinations

The BJP defended its IT head Amit Malviya after Congress demanded an apology and his removal over remarks linking the assassinations of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi to their political decisions. BJP accused Congress of distorting history, while Congress called Malviya’s comments insensitive and demanded accountability.

The BJP on Wednesday staunchly defended its IT department head, Amit Malviya, following his contentious remarks about the assassinations of former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. The party stated that the Congress should not shy away from historical truths.

The controversy erupted after Congress demanded an apology and the sacking of Malviya for saying the two leaders were assassinated due to their political decisions. 'Truth is truth. They should not shy away from the truth... People should know what the Congress and its leaders did,' BJP national general secretary Gautam Dushyant told PTI.

Defending Malviya, Dushyant alleged that Congress had imposed Emergency, undermined democracy, and caused the partition of India. He stressed the need for the public to know the country's history, accusing Congress of trying to suppress it. The BJP also criticized Congress for its conduct toward current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, in a letter to BJP chief J P Nadda, demanded an apology for Malviya's remarks and called for his removal, terming his comments insensitive and politically motivated.

(With inputs from agencies.)