‘Tukde-tukde gang should understand…’: Kiren Rijiju on Indian judiciary

Rijiju's comments came after Rahul Gandhi had alleged that Indian democracy is under attack and several politicians, including himself, are under surveillance.

Union Law minister Kiren Rijiju hit back at Rahul Gandhi over his "attack on Indian democracy" remark during a lecture at Cambridge University.

Posting "a short clip" of his address at the conference, Rijiju tweeted that the members of "Tukde-Tukde Gang" should better understand that India has embarked upon the journey of "great rejuvenation" under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Indian Judiciary is independent. And Indian Judiciary can never be forced to play the roles of opposition Party. No body can even question Indian democracy because democracy runs in our blood," Rijiju tweeted.

"These gang get active support from Anti-India foreign entities to launch frontal attack against India. Systematically they will assault the credibility of the Indian democracy, Indian Govt, Judiciary & all Critical Organs like Defence, Election Commision, Investigating Agencies... The Members of Tukde-Tukde Gang should better understand that India has embarked upon journey of great rejuvenation under the leadership of @narendramodi Ji. We the people of INDIA will give them a befitting reply," he added.

Rijiju's comments came after Gandhi had alleged that Indian democracy is under attack and several politicians, including himself, are under surveillance.

The former Congress president listed five key aspects of the alleged attack on Indian democracy-capture and control of media and judiciary; surveillance and intimidation; coercion by federal law enforcement agencies; attacks on minorities, Dalits and tribals; and shutting down of dissent.

The BJP sharpened its attack on Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Congress leader of speaking against India in a foreign country and making such allegations about the conditions in the country which even Pakistan does not dare to do.

While the whole world is using good words to describe India, its main opposition leader is claiming on foreign soil that the country has been destroyed and democracy is no longer there while the judiciary and the media are in a bad shape, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told reporters.

He accused Gandhi of dissuading investors from investing in India at a time when the world is seeing the country as a "bright spot" and foreign firms are leaving China to do business here.

"In a big university, he is telling people bad things about India. While even Pakistan no longer dares say these things about India on a global forum, Gandhi is presenting it as a place where democracy is no longer there and the judiciary has been compromised," he said.

Patra questioned if Gandhi was working as an agent on the payroll of an agency to bring down India.

The term "tukde-tukde gang" is used by the BJP to refer to individuals or groups who are perceived to be advocating for the division or breakup of India. The term gained popularity in 2016 after some student leaders at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) were accused of making seditious speeches and shouting anti-national slogans.

The term is often used by right-wing groups and politicians to target and discredit those who criticise the government or hold views that are not in line with their own.