BJP president and Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Wednesday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after he said his party was fighting the Indian state itself and not just the BJP or RSS’s ideology, which had proven harmful to democracy.

In a post on X, Nadda said, “No longer hidden, the ugly truth of the Congress is now exposed by their own leader. I ‘compliment’ Mr. Rahul Gandhi for clearly stating what the nation knows — that he is fighting against the Indian state!”

He further accused Gandhi of having connections to urban naxals and the deep state, claiming that he was attempting to incite division and discredit India.

Other BJP leaders, including Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, also reacted strongly to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks during the inauguration of the Congress party’s new headquarters in Delhi. In response to Gandhi’s comments, Hardeep Singh Puri suggested that Rahul Gandhi should “get his mental stability checked.”

During his address, Gandhi criticised RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat’s assertion that India’s independence should be celebrated on the day of the Ram temple’s consecration rather than on August 15.

Gandhi labelled Bhagwat’s statements as treasonous, asserting that Congress was not only contesting the BJP and RSS’s ideology, which he deemed harmful to democracy, but was also fighting against the Indian state itself.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman questioned Gandhi, who serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, saying, “The LoP, who took an oath on the Constitution, is now declaring, ‘We are fighting the BJP, the RSS, and the Indian State itself.’ So why do you carry a copy of the Constitution?”

Amit Malviya, BJP’s IT cell chief, shared a clip of Gandhi’s speech on X, stating, “Rahul Gandhi has now declared an open war against the Indian State itself. This is straight out of George Soros’s playbook.”

During his address, Gandhi asserted, “Those in power today do not salute the tricolour, nor do they believe in the national flag or the Constitution; they have a vastly different vision for India. They want to control India through a secretive society led by one person, silencing the voices of our nation.”

He also emphasised that the Congress party remains the only viable alternative to the BJP-led central government, adding, “The people in this room are facing systematic attacks and assaults on their lives because they belong to the Congress party and refuse to surrender to the BJP and the RSS.”

On Wednesday, Meta India issued an apology for remarks made by CEO Mark Zuckerberg during a podcast, in which he claimed that the incumbent government in India lost power in the 2024 elections. The company described the statement as an “inadvertent error.”

Meta India’s Vice President, Shivnath Thukral, addressed the situation in a post on X, stating: “Dear Honourable Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw, Mark’s observation that many incumbent parties were not re-elected in the 2024 elections applies to several countries, BUT not India. We apologize for this inadvertent error. India remains an incredibly important country for @Meta, and we look forward to being at the heart of its innovative future.”

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had previously criticized Zuckerberg’s comments from the Joe Rogan podcast, asserting, “Zuckerberg’s claim that most incumbent governments, including India in the 2024 elections, lost post-COVID is factually incorrect.” In his post on X on January 13, Vaishnaw emphasized the significance of India’s 2024 elections, where over 640 million voters reaffirmed their trust in the NDA led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Minister condemned Zuckerberg’s remarks as misinformation and underscored the importance of accuracy and credibility for Meta. He cited various achievements under PM Modi’s leadership, including providing free food to 800 million people, administering 2.2 billion free vaccines during the pandemic, and establishing India as the fastest-growing major economy. “Zuckerberg’s comments are disappointing, and it’s essential that we uphold facts and credibility,” he stated.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who chairs the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, announced on Tuesday that the committee would summon Meta in light of Zuckerberg’s comments regarding the Lok Sabha election.

“My committee will call on Meta to address this incorrect information. Misleading statements about any democratic country can tarnish its image, and this organization will need to apologize to the Indian Parliament and its citizens for this mistake,” Dubey remarked in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt greetings to the Indian Army, ex-servicemen, Veeranganas, and their families on the occasion of the 77th Army Day, celebrated on January 15. He commended the Army’s pivotal contribution to India’s progress towards becoming a self-reliant and developed nation by 2047.

Speaking on the theme “Samarth Bharat, Saksham Sena,” PM Modi praised the Indian Army’s unmatched dedication and sacrifices, which have been instrumental in safeguarding the nation and fostering its growth.

A legacy of valor and transformation

Army Day marks a significant milestone in India’s history, commemorating the day in 1949 when Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief, taking over from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Army Chief of India.

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi highlighted the Army’s professional excellence, their ability to tackle diverse challenges, and their unwavering commitment to national security.

“Our Army has a glorious history of managing inaccessible borders, disaster situations, and internal challenges. Their discipline and professionalism have earned them global recognition,” the statement read.

Embracing modernity and self-reliance

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the transformative strides the Indian Army has made in recent years. From enhancing strategic capabilities to spearheading initiatives for self-reliance in defense production, the Army has adapted to meet modern demands effectively.

“Unprecedented steps have been taken in the last decade to strengthen our military forces and achieve self-sufficiency in defense production. The indomitable spirit of our armed forces will play a critical role in building an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he remarked.

A tribute to courage and sacrifice

Paying tribute to the sacrifices of soldiers, PM Modi emphasized the gratitude of the nation. “The nation remembers with reverence the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of our soldiers in serving Maa Bharti. On behalf of all Indians, I salute the brave martyrs, Veer Naaris, and ex-servicemen.”

The 77th Army Day serves as a reminder of the Indian Army’s enduring legacy and its critical role in shaping a strong and self-reliant India.