New Delhi, Aug 5 — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of deliberately disrupting Parliament to avoid a discussion on the Modi government's record of bringing fugitive offenders back to India from abroad.
The BJP claimed that between 2019 and 2026, the Centre successfully brought back 274 fugitives from 36 countries and described it as government's commitment for bringing offenders to justice in India.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, the party's national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia questioned why Parliament was repeatedly being disrupted and blamed Rahul Gandhi for the ongoing impasse.
"A very important subject needs to be discussed today. Everyone is wondering why the Leader of the Opposition, the immature, irresponsible, part-time Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is not allowing Parliament to function. Why is it that the immature, part-time, irresponsible Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is preventing Parliament from functioning?" Bhatia said.
He alleged that the political contest in the country represented a clash of two contrasting ideologies, claiming, "On the other side, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi only works to divide the country. Standing with anarchic elements makes one anarchic as well," he said.
Highlighting what he described as the achievements of the Modi government, Bhatia said the figures relating to the extradition and return of fugitive offenders should make every Indian proud.
He said that under the Modi government's zero-tolerance policy, 274 fugitive criminals had been brought back to India from 36 countries between 2019 and 2026.
"On average, 40 fugitives have been brought back every year. No matter where they were hiding in the world, they were tracked down, arrested, and brought back to India. They will now face trial under the law. That is the strength of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added.
Drawing a comparison with the previous Congress-led government, Bhatia urged people to examine the difference in performance and claimed, "You will get the answer to why Rahul Gandhi does not want Parliament to function. When these figures are placed before Parliament, the people will ask why such political will was not visible during the Congress government's tenure."
The BJP spokesperson further claimed that during the period from 2004 to 2013, only around four fugitives were brought back annually.
"That means, 40 fugitives in 10 years. On one hand, 40 fugitives are brought back in one year, and on the other hand, 40 are brought back in 10 years. This data demonstrates that India has become more effective in bringing criminals to justice," he added.
Bhatia also said the Modi government had recovered nearly Rs 19,000 crore from returned fugitive offenders and alleged that the previous Congress governments lacked the political resolve required to pursue such individuals.
Raising questions about the nature of the offences committed by the returned fugitives, he said many of them were accused in serious criminal cases.
"A question naturally comes to mind, and I would like to place it before you. What crimes had these fugitives committed? These are people accused of serious offences. There are 53 accused of sexual offences, including rape and POCSO crimes against children; 42 are accused of organised crime and gangster activities; 18 are accused of human trafficking and kidnapping; 17 are accused of terrorist and anti-national activities. Terrorists have been brought back. Nobody can look at India with an evil eye," he said.
Bhatia further stated that the list also includes 16 accused booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for drug trafficking, 12 individuals accused in counterfeit currency and cybercrime cases, along with several others wanted for fraud and financial offences.
The BJP leader also accused Rahul Gandhi of failing to discharge his responsibilities as Leader of the Opposition, alleging that he avoids participating in Parliament while frequently making what he termed "absurd" remarks against Prime Minister Modi and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
"It is the responsibility of the LoP, especially when Parliament is in session, to attend the House, engage in debate, present facts, and raise issues concerning the public on the floor of Parliament. However, the LoP shies away from the very temple of democracy; he is afraid," Bhatia said, adding that Rahul Gandhi "suffers from Modi-phobia and RSS-phobia."
During the press conference, Bhatia also referred to the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, describing August 5 as a historic day in India's constitutional journey and crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the decision.
"August 5 is a moment of pride and honour for every Indian. Seven years ago, the central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took the historic decision to fully integrate Jammu and Kashmir into the mainstream of the Indian Constitution by revoking Article 370. This decision was in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution and provided a new impetus to national unity," he added.