Rahul Gandhi claims ration card holders being 'forced' to buy national flag; govt says no such instruction given

"It is shameful that while giving ration, poor are being asked to cough up Rs 20 for the Tricolour," claimed Rahul Gandhi.

TN National Desk

Updated Aug 10, 2022, 21:48 IST

Pic courtesy: @RahulGandhi

Photo : Twitter

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

The former Congress chief said: "Along with the Tricolour, the BJP government is also attacking the self-respect of the poor of our country"
BJP MP Varun Gandhi, earlier today, also claimed that ration card holders were being forced to buy the national flag in order to receive the ration
"'Tiranga' lives in the heart of every Indian," said Varun Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday claimed that shopkeepers were forcing ration card holders to buy the national flag and accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of selling "nationalism" and hurting self-respect of the poor.

"The Tricolour is our pride and it is in every Indian's heart," Gandhi wrote on Facebook in the Hindi language.

However, the government denied that the poor were being forced to buy the flag for ration on its order.

The Press Information Bureau, through its 'PIBFactCheck' Twitter handle, said such instructions were not given and a ration shop had been suspended for misrepresenting facts and violating the government's orders.

Rahul Gandhi claimed: "Nationalism can never be sold. It is shameful that while giving ration, poor are being asked to cough up Rs 20 for the Tricolour."

"Along with the Tricolour, the BJP government is also attacking the self-respect of the poor of our country," said the former Congress chief. He also shared a video purportedly showing ration card holders complaining about having to pay Rs 20 to purchase the flag.

Earlier today, BJP MP Varun Gandhi also claimed that ration card holders were being compelled to purchase the national flag in order to receive the ration.

In his view, it would be unfortunate if the 75th Independence Day celebrations burdened the poor. Varun Gandhi, in a tweet in Hindi, said: "'Tiranga' lives in the heart of every Indian."

As part of its 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, the central government has asked people to hoist or display the national flag from their homes during August 13-15.

There has been a campaign by the BJP to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call a success.

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