BJP attacks Rahul over 'out of context' Amit Shah video amid SIR row

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday challenged Union home minister Amit Shah to an open debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Sharing a video of Amit Shah, he prompted a sharp response from the BJP , which accused him of circulating a cropped video and lacking preparation on the issue. Addressing Shah directly, Rahul said, "Amit Shah ji, don't confuse Modi ji. Just convince him to have an open debate with me. Any platform, any time. Don't be afraid." Responding to Rahul's remarks, parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi accused the Congress leader of sharing an edited video of Shah's remarks without the proper context. He said the clip exposed Rahul's "absolute lack of homework on SIR". "Rahul ji, the confusion is clearly yours, not ours!" Joshi said in a post on X. He also questioned Rahul's stand on electoral processes, alleging that the Congress leader accepted them when his party won elections but questioned them after defeats. "When you win elections, the electoral process is acceptable; when you lose, the same process suddenly becomes questionable. Is this your understanding of democracy?" Joshi said. Taking a swipe at Rahul's electoral record, the BJP leader pointed out that the Congress lost the 2014, 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections even when no SIR was conducted. "You lost the 2014, 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections even when no SIR was conducted. Will you take responsibility for those defeats or blame something else?" he asked. Joshi further said Shah had already challenged Rahul to discuss SIR in Parliament and offered to convene a special session for the purpose. "And now, when Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji has openly challenged you to discuss SIR in Parliament and even offered a special session, why the hesitation. Enough of political theatrics, Rahul ji. Bring your arguments to Parliament and debate with facts," he said.

What Amit Shah said about SIR debate

The exchange followed a video clip featuring remarks by Shah in Parliament and at another public address. In the parliamentary remarks, Shah questioned the possibility of holding a discussion on SIR in the House and asked who would be held responsible if questions were raised.

Addressing Rahul's demand for a debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah said the prime minister's presence was not necessary for the discussion. "Rahul ji, Modi ji ki zaroorat nahi hai... Hum SIR par charcha ke liye vishesh sansad ka satra bulane ke liye taiyaar hain," Shah said. The edited video juxtaposed Shah's remarks with an earlier statement by Rahul, who had said, "Inko hum matlab pagal kar denge". It ended with Rahul smiling at a press conference, alongside an overlay reading "Confusion mein aa gaye".