Nehru heir under fire for 'anti-Muslim rant'
![](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2009/03/18/17/150791.jpg)
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
A great grandson of India's first prime minister was filmed at an election rally allegedly threatening to cut the throats of Muslims.
Varun Gandhi, a grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru and nephew of Sonia Gandhi, is being investigated by police in the state of Uttar Pradesh after he allegedly said that all Muslims should be sent to Pakistan. He was speaking at a rally for the right-wing, Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for which he is a candidate in upcoming elections.
The recording, made on 6 March, apparently shows Mr Gandhi saying: "All the Hindus stay on this side and send the others to Pakistan." Raising a palm, he said his hand was the "Lotus hand" - a reference to the symbol of the BJP - and said that after the election "it will cut their throats".
Yesterday, Mr Gandhi, 29, claimed the recording of him speaking - posted on the internet - had been deliberately doctored in order to undermine him. "I've been a victim of political conspiracy. This is a vigorous attempt to malign my faith...Those are not my words, this is not my voice," he told local media. "I am a Gandhi, a Hindu and an Indian in equal measure."
Mr Gandhi is the son of Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi's younger son who was killed in a plane crash. Unlike other members of the family who joined the ruling Congress Party, Varun Gadnhi disowned the dynasty and instead joined the BJP. His cousin, Rahul Gandhi, is a Congress MP and tipped as a future prime minister.
Mr Gandhi's comments come just weeks before India's general election, to be spread over a month. Most polls suggest the Congress will emerge as the party with the most seats.
Muslims make up around 13 per cent of India's vast, 1.1bn population. Communal violence between Hindus and Muslims is not uncommon, especially around elections.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments