'Nafrat ki dukaan': PM Modi on Congress over scribe 'assault'

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the two rallies he addressed in poll-bound Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana on Saturday, launched a blistering attack on Congress as he referred to recent incidents, including the alleged assault of an Indian journalist by a member of Rahul Gandhi's team during his US visit.

He also slammed remarks made by Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge that had his party won 20 more seats, BJP leaders would have been in jail.

In Jammu, Modi said, "Congress talks about Constitution and wanders holding 'Nafrat ki Dukaan' in the name of 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan'. I read in the newspapers today that an Indian journalist, while in America, faced severe mistreatment... Independent media is a pillar of a vibrant democracy. Does such treatment of a journalist reflect well on India's dignity?"

He was referring to the alleged assault of a journalist by Congress workers in Dallas when he asked Indian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda if Rahul Gandhi would raise the issue of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh during his meet with US lawmakers. Modi asked if locking a journalist in a room upholds democratic values. He added, "The word 'Constitution' doesn't suit you."

Referring to Kharge's comment, the PM said the Congress president reflected the mindset of his party full of "ahankar" (arrogance). "Lo- ok at what he (Kharge) said...Do you want a govt to send leaders to jail or for the welfare of the people?" he said.

At a rally in Haryana, Modi hit out at Congress over Rahul Gandhi's remarks that his party will consider ending the reservation system at an appropriate time.

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