A fierce political confrontation erupted on Wednesday after Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi called Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) “traitors” over what he described as attacks on the Constitution and institutions safeguarding the weaker sections.Gandhi’s remarks, made during the ‘Bahujan Swabhiman Sabha’ at Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, triggered an aggressive response from the ruling party. BJP president Nitin Nabin said Gandhi’s remarks reflected his anarchic mindset. “The remarks also reflect his frustration and disappointment with his party facing defeats in elections,” Nabin said.Addressing the gathering at Lodhwari village in UP, Gandhi alleged that the Constitution and the ideals of BR Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi were under systematic attack under the BJP-led government. Holding up a copy of the Constitution during his speech, the Congress leader said the document represented the struggles and sacrifices of millions who fought for equality and justice.“Listen up, RSS people. I will never apologise. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are traitors because they have attacked the Constitution. I am not afraid of you,” Gandhi said, reiterating the controversial remark despite the backlash.Gandhi, who represents Rae Bareli in Parliament, also accused the Centre of weakening reservation safeguards, privatising public institutions, undermining welfare schemes and concentrating wealth in the hands of a few industrialists. He alleged that institutions meant to protect marginalised communities were being systematically dismantled.The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, also warned that the country was heading towards a major economic crisis due to global oil disruptions and domestic policy failures.“People do not yet understand what is coming. Inflation will rise to levels never seen before. Farmers, labourers, youth and poor families will suffer the most,” he said.Linking the looming crisis to tensions in West Asia and disruption in oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, Gandhi alleged that the Modi government had failed to prepare for the fallout.Taking a swipe at the PM over his recent interactions with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, Gandhi said Modi was “making videos and eating toffees” while the country faced an economic threat.“An economic storm is approaching, one India has never seen before. PM Modi claimed before the elections that there was no shortage of petrol, gas or oil and everything was fine. But he did nothing in the last three months,” Gandhi said.Referring to demonetisation and the Covid lockdown, the Congress leader alleged that previous government decisions had already devastated small traders, labourers and farmers.“During demonetisation and the pandemic, Modi folded his hands and cried before the public. The time has come once again when he will cry and ask people to punish him,” Gandhi said.He further accused the government of manipulating electoral rolls in various states such as Maharashtra, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal by allegedly removing names of anti-BJP voters.The Congress leader also renewed the party’s demand for a caste census, alleging that the BJP did not want the socio-economic realities of backward communities to come out in public.The BJP, however, hit back strongly, accusing Gandhi of attempting to create unrest and insulting democratic institutions.Union Minister Prahlad Joshi said that Rahul Gandhi calling the PM, Home Minister and the RSS “traitors” was not just shameful but an insult to every nationalist who had worked for ‘Bharat Mata’ with honesty and dedication.“The irony is astonishing. A leader from the same Congress party that imposed the Emergency and crushed democracy is now talking about “saving democracy”. The same Congress that censored the media, jailed opposition leaders and weakened constitutional institutions now lectures others on democratic values,” said Joshi.Several senior BJP leaders also targeted Rahul Gandhi for his remarks. Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, “India has today become the world’s trusted destination through ‘Made in India’ and ‘Local Goes Global’ initiatives, but the Congress sees a problem in every Indian achievement.”Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Congress was alienating politically neutral citizens through “negative politics”. “The Congress cannot understand the pulse of the people. Such politics is pushing people away from the party,” Rijiju said.Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath termed Gandhi’s remarks “indecent” and demanded a public apology. Calling Gandhi the Congress’ “yuvraj”, Adityanath said his latest statement reflected “negative politics, uncontrolled thinking and disrespect for democratic values”.Senior BJP MP Anurag Thakur also accused the Congress of hypocrisy on the issue of the Constitution. He said the party itself had “attempted to destroy democratic institutions” during the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “Abusing Narendra Modi and insulting the RSS has become the Congress party’s standard practice,” Thakur said.