'Rahul Gandhi condemned my education, values and humanity. I challenge him to debate', says furious Jayant Sinha while expressing regret over Ramgarh lynching row

Union MoS Jayant Sinha has challenged Congress party president Rahul Gandhi to a live debate for attacking him at a personal level over the controversy he was embroiled in for felicitating convicts in the Ramgrh lynching case.

WATCH: Jayant Sinha Garlands Eight Lynching Convicts, Justifies His Stand Saying 'court Has Released Them On Bail'

Taking to Twitter, Jayant Sinha has said that he didn't mean to condone vigilantism by welcoming the convicts to his residence and stated his sincere regret if that was the impression he gave. He has also clarified on a previous view he held when he had hit out at the court verdict that had sentenced 11 accused in the case to life in prison after the Ranchi High Court had suspended the sentence. Sinha since stated that as the matter is sub-judice, he wouldn't speak about it.

READ | ‘Absolutely Horrifying’: Swara Bhasker Reacts To Jayant Sinha Garland Controversy

While he had spoken of the gist of what has been mentioned above via tweets over the last few days as well, Sinha, MoS in the Civil Aviation Ministry has expressed his umbrage at Rahul Gandhi attacking him at a personal level, accusing the Congress president of "condemning his education, values, and humanity". 

In his statement, the minister writes:

The events in Ramgarh on June 29, 2017, were distressing and terrible. As I have said repeatedly, vigilantism is totally unacceptable. Guilt can only be established through due process because the rule of law is supreme in our constitutional democracy. Those who commit vigilantism and break the law should be fully punished. Many social media participants, various political parties, and some media outlets have said that I sympathize with vigilantes because I welcomed the Ramgarh convicts at my residence. I did not intend, in any way, to condone vigilantism, and I sincerely regret if that's the impression I gave.

In any case, the matter is sub judice and we should respect the due process of law. The Fast-Track court trial records, Fast-Track court judgments, and the Hon'ble High Court's bail orders are available in the public domain. I would earnestly request all those who are interested to study these materials carefully and form their own independent views on this case.

Shri Rahul Gandhi 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. If he thinks that 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. Our great Republic deserves no less. Jai Hind. 

And here is the tweet which Rahul Gandhi had posted attacking Jayant Sinha:

Sinha is an alumnus of IIT Delhi, the University of Pennsylvania and the Harvard Business School. His welcoming the convicts to his residence and felicitating him with garlands had created a huge controversy, over which even his father, former union minister and BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, had criticised him:

Another Embarrassment: After Jayant Sinha Garlands Lynching Convicts, Giriraj Singh Backs VHP Rioters

At the time of publishing, Rahul Gandhi is yet to accept the challenge issued to him. Will he? Let us know what you think in the comments below.