200 DU teachers issue statement condemning Modi's remarks on Rajiv Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark disparaging former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi has drawn criticism from not just Congress leaders, workers and opposition parties, but also a large section of academics. At a rally in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, Modi had targeted the late former prime minister while attacking his son — Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
"Your father was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as Bhrashtachari No.1," Modi had said, alluding to the Bofors scam.
On Monday, some 200 teachers from Delhi University issued a signed statement "condemning the recent public utterances" by the Prime Minister, which was tweeted by Sam Pitroda of the Indian Overseas Congress.
"History records the deeds of the good and the noble but rarely does it pay attention to the carping of lesser individuals. The achievements of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi are known to all. The nations acknowledges this in so many ways," the statement read.

"When India beat back the invaders from Kargil, our soldiers shouted slogans praising Rajiv Gandhi for the Bofor's gun even though Rajivji was martyred a decade ago," it said, going on to list some of the late leader's achievements.
The statement ended with "Shri Narendra Modi has lowered the dignity of the office of the Prime Minister by making derogatory and untrue remarks about the late Rajivji who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. No former PM has ever stooped to this level through such actions as Shri Modi."
A day earlier , Rahul had responded to the PM comment. "Modi ji, the battle is over. Your Karma awaits you. Projecting your inner beliefs about yourself onto my father won't protect you. All my love and a huge hug, Rahul," he tweeted.