"Rahul Gandhi should correct his statement, there is no mention of 'Abhayamudra' in Islam": All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council Chairman

"While speaking in the Parliament today, Rahul Gandhi has said 'Abhayamudra' is also there in Islam. There is no mention of idol worship in Islam, nor is there any kind of mudra. I refute it, there is no mention of 'Abhayamudra' in Islam and I believe that Rahul Gandhi should correct his statement," Chishty said.

Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Gaddi Nashin-Dargah Ajmer Sharif also said on the matter that Rahul should have an understanding of which symbols are part of which faith.

"We have heard the statement made by the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, in which he talked about linking the symbol of 'Abhayamudra' to Islamic prayer or Islamic worship, which is not mentioned in any holy scripture or even in the teachings of saints. Linking any other symbolic posture to the philosophy and the faith of Islam is not the right thing to do. I think Rahul Gandhi should have an understanding of which symbols are part of which faith," he said.

Participating in the debate on the motion of thanks in the President's Address, Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP-led government and alleged there has been "a systematic attack" on the idea of India.

"There has been a systematic and full-scale assault on the idea of India, the Constitution and on the people who resisted the attack on the Constitution. Many of us were personally attacked. Some of the leaders are still in jail. Anyone who resisted the idea of concentration of power and wealth, aggression on poor and Dalits and minorities was crushed. ..I was attacked by the order of Government of India, by the order of the Prime Minister of India...The most enjoyable part of it was the 55 hours of interrogation by ED...," he alleged.

"Abhayamudra is the symbol of Congress...The Abhayamudra is the gesture of fearlessness, is the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and other Indian religions....All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth...Aap Hindu ho hi nahi," the Congress leader said.

Home Minister Amit Shah targeted Rahul Gandhi and said connecting violence with any religion is wrong.

"The Leader of Opposition has categorically said that those who call themselves Hindu talk of violence and do violence. He doesn't know that crores of people proudly call themselves Hindu. Connecting violence with any religion is wrong. He should apologise," Amit Shah said.

Rahul Gandhi also said the BJP is not the entire Hindu society.

"Narendra Modi is not entire Hindu society. BJP is not the entire Hindu society, RSS is not the entire society, this is not BJP's contract," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks and said calling "the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter". (ANI)