Unfazed Jayant Sinha Dares Rahul Gandhi For Live Debate on Ramgarh Lynching Case

New Delhi, July 12: Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha on Thursday challenged Congress president Rahul Gandhi for a live debate on Ramgarh lynching case. Sinha said that the Congress chief's criticsm was a personal attack on him. The BJP leader come under sharp attack from the opposition for welcoming eight convicts of a lynching incident in his Lok Sabha constituency in Jharkhand's Ramgarh.

"Shri Rahul Gandhi ji has taken the attack against me to a personal level. He has condemned my education, values and humanity. I challenge him to a live debate in Hindi or English on the Ramgarh lynching case," Jayant Singa said in a statement. "If he think my personal conduct is 'disgusting' then let's debate it in a civilized manner. Let him not hide behind his social media handles and practice shoot-and-scoot politics," the union minister added.

Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday termed as disgusting Sinha's action and sought support for a petition that seeks withdrawal of his Harvard alumni status. "If the sight of a highly educated MP and Central Minister, Jayant Sinha, garlanding and honouring criminals convicted of lynching an innocent man, fills you with disgust, click on the link and support this petition," Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet.

Sinha on Wednesday expressed regret for his act. "I have said many times that the matter (of lynching) is still sub judice. It won't be fair to talk on this. Law will take its own course. We have always worked towards punishing the guilty and sparing the innocent. If by garlanding them (the lynchers) an impression has gone out that I support such vigilantism then I express regret over it," Jayant Sinha was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 12, 2018 08:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).