While the whole nation is pouring out its heartfelt wishes to congratulate Sumit Antil’s nail-biting victory who won a gold medal at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics in javelin throw, Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi once again stepped in with his opportunistic political stunt to demean Hindu beliefs and sentiments. Mr Gandhi took to Twitter to congratulate Sumit after he clinched gold to create a watershed moment in the history of India, but cropped out the ‘Om’ from the chain Antil is wearing.
Congratulations to Sumit Antil for the #Gold .
The nation applauds your record-breaking grit and determination.
#TokyoParalympics pic.twitter.com/LJdKV0uxNz— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 30, 2021
On the contrary, he posted the full pictures of Devendra Jhajharia and Sundar Singh to congratulate them for winning Silver and Bronze respectively, in Men’s Javelin Throw F46 event.
Devendra Jhajharia and Sundar Singh Gurjar have won #Silver and #Bronze respectively in Men’s Javelin Throw F46 event.
Big congratulations!
This has been a good morning for sports in India. #TokyoParalympics pic.twitter.com/kjcoherRj2
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 30, 2021
However, netizens did not take too long to respond and posted the actual image of Antil showed him wearing the ‘Om’ pendant in his chain. Prapti Buch, a Twitter user posted the actual picture of a Paralympian saying sorry folks!
Sorry folks,
Here's the second part of the pic. pic.twitter.com/capVdsbdxo
— Prapti Buch (@p4prapti) August 30, 2021
Another user mocked Rahul Gandhi stating that he perhaps, wants to put out a message that ‘secularism’ is under threat and hence cropped the ‘Om’.
Secularism khatre mye hye that is why Rahul Vinci Cropped OM symbol https://t.co/S2ld5copHf
— Shiv (@Subhaji31346370) August 30, 2021
However, Rahul Gandhi also tried to embed the ‘Dara Hua Musalman’ narrative before this tweet. Earlier, he posted a tweet attacking the central government, insinuating that the Centre has ‘sold’ Articles 15 and 25 of the Indian Constitution. In his tweet, he shared a montage that included snippets from various incidents across the country to point out that discrimination against Muslims is rising high in the country.
Article 15 of the Indian constitution deals against discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth and Article 25, on the other hand, guarantees freedom of religion to every individual in India.
Thus, with such agendas to peddle fake ‘hate crime’ with the motive to divide people in the nation, Rahul Gandhi is probably trying to set an example for secularism. Moreover, with such a move to use the picture of a sportsperson for his propaganda, he has proved that he will not spare even those who are a matter of pride for the nation when it comes to his political benefits.
Read more: After Twitter, Facebook and Insta lock Rahul Gandhi too
Sumit Antil shattered the world record, not once but thrice in the men’s javelin (F64) event at the Tokyo Paralympics on Monday to win the gold medal. His breath-taking performance led India to win its second gold at the ongoing Paralympics after 19-year-old AvaniLekhara, earlier in the day, had won the women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing (SH1).
