Rahul Gandhi Slams Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi Over Rapist Defence

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused newly appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi of "patronising rapists" and called him the "most disgusting man." Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister had "chosen a man who agreed and even rejoiced at the release of those convicted of raping a pregnant woman." Speaking to the media in Parliament premises, Gandhi said, "After the youth demonstrated for reforming the education system in the country, the BJP has appointed as India's Education Minister a man who defends rapists. There can be no more shameful thing than for a man to advocate for the protection of rapists and today he is the country's Education Minister." Priyanka Gandhi's comments in the Lok Sabha were strongly objected to by ruling party MPs. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused her of making defamatory statements in Parliament. Rijiju said these comments were "tantamount to character assassination." "We do not demand removal of these statements from the records."