Pune

Following the registration of an FIR in the pellet gun injury case after an eight-hour-long sit-in protest by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Pawan Khera on Saturday took a swipe at the ruling government, remarking that if an autobiography were ever written on the current regime, its title would be "Raita".

Speaking to ANI in Pune, Khera accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of creating policy blunders and subsequently backtracking under public pressure, while evading core issues affecting the country.

"First, they used the term 'Urban Naxal,' then they surrendered to the farmers. When the topic of a caste census came up, they called it a 'Naxal' issue, only to surrender on that front as well. Mark my words, they will surrender everywhere. They did it right in front of you yesterday. First, they claimed no violence had occurred. Then, a news channel revealed police diary entries showing that pellet guns had indeed been fired. They create a mess and then spend all their time trying to clean it up. That is the only story of this government. If anyone were to write an autobiography about this government, they would title it 'Raita'," Khera remarked.

The Congress leader listed key national challenges, stating that while the youth continue to struggle with unemployment and exam paper leaks, the Prime Minister remains preoccupied with celebrating his own political tenure.

"What are the issues facing this country? Youth, jobs, paper leaks, violence against students, the theft of donations in Ayodhya, ethanol E20, and China intruding into Arunachal Pradesh. We will talk about the country's issues. What is Narendra Modi's agenda? 'I have spent 25 years in my political journey.' Go ahead with your journey; the country is suffering because of your journey," Khera said.

Responding to a question regarding senior BJP leader Nitin Nabin chairing a national office-bearers' meeting earlier today, Khera dismissed the party's internal exercises as "irrelevant."

"Irrelevant. Form a team, do whatever you want; these people are not focused on the country's issues. The foremost issue for the country right now is how to remove the BJP from power," he added.

Khera's remarks come after an FIR was registered by Delhi Police on Friday evening under Sections 118 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), following Rahul Gandhi's sit-in protest at Parliament Street police station demanding action on Lochab's complaint.

The victim had alleged that his complaint was not being registered despite suffering injuries after pellet gun firing at Connaught Place on July 20. He claimed that he underwent surgery at AIIMS, but his vision remained affected.

Rahul Gandhi, who was accompanied by several Congress leaders including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, had questioned the delay in filing the FIR and said the AIIMS report showed more than 200 shells inside Lochab's body and three shells in his eye.

"A pellet gun was used at Connaught Place on 20th July. AIIMS report clearly says that there are more than 200 shells inside his body and 3 in his eye. He has lost vision in that eye. There are shells near his heart that cannot be touched. Delhi Police say they did not fire pellet guns. So, there is just one question: someone must have done it...A crime has indeed happened," Rahul Gandhi said.

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Meanwhile, Lochab thanked Rahul Gandhi for supporting his demand and said the FIR may not have been registered without the Congress leader's intervention.

The case has been registered under Section 118 of the BNS, which deals with voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means, and Section 125, which relates to acts endangering the life or personal safety of others.