Nirmala Sitharaman Refutes Rahul Bajaj Over 'Atmosphere Of Fear' Statement

Several Union ministers have refuted Rahul Bajaj’s comments during a programme in Mumbai where he had said, in front of Home Minister Amit Shah, that there is an atmosphere of fear in India and people are scared of criticizing the government.

Refuting Bajaj's statement, Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted that Home Minister Amit Shah has responded to the issues raised by Rahul Bajaj. She also said that questions/criticisms are heard and answered/addressed. In her tweet, she said further that there is always a better way to seek an answer than spreading one’s own impressions which, on gaining traction, can hurt the national interest.

Home Minister @AmitShah answers on how issues raised by Shri. Rahul Bajaj were addressed. Questions/criticisms are heard and answered/addressed. Always a better way to seek an answer than spreading one’s own impressions which, on gaining traction, can hurt national interest. https://t.co/WytSpyRyP6

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) December 1, 2019

Also present at the event, Union railway minister Piyush Goyal tweeted on this matter and asked people to look at Home Minister Amit Shah respond to Rahul Bajaj’s claim that people are afraid to express themselves. He also said that after hearing Bajaj’s question, he doubts if anybody believes the claim that people are afraid.

See Home Minister @amitshah respond to Rahul Bajaj’s claim that people are afraid to express themselves. “After hearing your question I doubt anybody believes this claim that people are afraid.”https://t.co/z3Xc185Go2 https://t.co/TlOJqkS3Vf

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) December 1, 2019

Meanwhile, Union minister Hardip Singh Puri also tweeted on this matter and said that Rahul Bajaj stated his position clearly in front of Home Minister Amit Shah and asked others to be part of it as well. This reveals that freedom of expression and democratic values are alive in India and this is exactly what democracy is all about.

Home Minister Amit Shah had replied to Rahul Bajaj during the programme itself. In his reply, Shah had said that there is no need for anyone to be afraid of anyone/anything. He also said that no one wants to scare anyone.

Watch the full report here:

Refuting #RahulBajaj's statement of being afraid to criticise the #ModiGovernment, #FinanceMinister @nsitharaman said questions and criticisms are heard and answered pic.twitter.com/woEQ438WSk

— GoNewsIndia (@GoNews_India) December 2, 2019