Rahul Gandhi Alleges Late Arun Jaitley Was Sent to Silence Him Over Farm Laws
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, sparked controversy during the Annual Legal Conclave 2025, claiming that the late BJP leader Arun Jaitley had threatened him for opposing the three controversial farm laws.
Gandhi said that Jaitley warned him against continuing his resistance to the laws, allegedly saying action would be taken against him if he persisted.
“I remember when I was fighting the farm laws, Arun Jaitley was sent to me to threaten me. He said, ‘If you carry on opposing the government, fighting the farm laws, we will have to act against you.’ I looked at him and said ‘I don’t think you have an idea who you are talking to,’” Rahul Gandhi said.
Rohan Jaitley Counters With Facts
The statement was swiftly rebutted by Arun Jaitley’s son, Rohan Jaitley, who pointed out that his father passed away in 2019, while the farm laws were introduced in 2020.
In a detailed post, Rohan, who is also president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association, asserted that his father was never the kind of person to issue threats to political opponents.
“Rahul Gandhi now claims my late father, Arun Jaitley, threatened him over the farm laws. Let me remind him, my father passed away in 2019. The farm laws were introduced in 2020,” he said.
Rohan added that his father believed in open discussion and consensus-building. He also reminded Rahul Gandhi to be cautious while referring to individuals who are no longer alive, accusing him of previously politicising the final days of former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as well.
“Let the departed Rest in Peace,” he added.
BJP Labels the Claim as “Fake News”
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya also dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s statement, calling it “factually incorrect and misleading.”
He pointed to the dates, noting that the draft farm bills were presented to the Union Cabinet on June 3, 2020, long after Arun Jaitley’s death on August 24, 2019. The laws were enacted in September 2020.
“Fake News Alert. Rahul Gandhi claims that Shri Arun Jaitley approached him to water down his opposition to 2020 Farm Laws… Arun Jaitley ji passed away on 24 August 2019. The draft Farm Bills were brought to the Union Cabinet on 3 June 2020. The laws were enacted in September 2020,” Malviya wrote.
Anurag Thakur Demands Apology
BJP MP Anurag Thakur also reacted strongly, accusing Gandhi of spreading “a new lie and a new propaganda every day.” He reiterated the timeline of the legislation and called on Gandhi to apologise to Jaitley’s family, the BJP, and the country.
“Rahul Gandhi comes up with a new lie and a new propaganda every day… I want to remind Rahul Gandhi that Arun Jaitley died on 24th August 2019 and the farm laws were passed on 17th September 2020 and 20th September 2020 in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, respectively… Rahul Gandhi should apologise,” Thakur told ANI.
Background on the Farm Laws
The three farm laws that sparked massive nationwide protests were:
The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020
The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020
These laws were introduced as ordinances in June 2020 and passed in Parliament in September 2020. They were repealed in November 2021 following widespread protests, especially at the borders of Delhi.
Arun Jaitley’s Political Legacy
Arun Jaitley was a key figure in the Modi government and held several top portfolios. He served as Finance Minister from 2014 to 2019 and also held additional charges as Defence Minister on two occasions.
He had previously served as Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha from 2009 to 2014 and was a senior figure in the Vajpayee government.
During his tenure, Jaitley played a major role in significant economic reforms such as the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, and banking sector restructuring.
Known for his calm demeanour and legal acumen, he was widely respected across political lines.
Rohan Jaitley, defending his father’s legacy, reiterated that Arun Jaitley was “a staunch democrat” and urged political leaders to respect the memory of those who have passed.
