Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his recent use of a term that many found derogatory towards people with disabilities. Addressing the controversy stirred by Gandhi’s "langde ghode" (lame horses) comment during his June 3 visit to Bhopal, Scindia questioned the intent and sensitivity behind such language.
"I wish to make those who use such abusive understand that it is our Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had changed the word 'viklang' and coined the term 'divyangjan' for specially-abled persons. It means those who have special blessings of God. Instead of revering him, they are using abusive language," said Scindia.
While Rahul Gandhi did not mention any specific community during his speech, his phrase—meant metaphorically to describe inefficient party members—has drawn flak from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and several disability rights groups for its perceived insensitivity. The backlash intensified as many viewed the term as regressive and insulting.
"Is this not an insult to divyangjan?" asked Scindia, adding that some people in politics stoop to unimaginable levels. Without naming Gandhi directly, Scindia’s pointed criticism left little doubt about whom he was addressing.
The controversy erupted as Gandhi was discussing his vision to rejuvenate the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, a state where the party has largely remained out of power since 2003, barring a brief stint from December 2018 to March 2020.
