Cong demands PM’S apology over Hegde’s remarks

NEW DELHI: Hitting out at the government led by the BJP over its leader Anantkumar Hegde’s remarks against the Mahatma Gandhi-led freedom movement, the Congress on Monday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s apology and registration of a sedition case against the former Union minister.

The Opposition party demanded that the PM must come to Parliament and clarify his position on Hegde’s “objectionable” remarks, and asserted that it was time for Modi to prove whether his loyalty was towards Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse or the Father of the Nation.

Questioning the freedom movement led by Gandhi, Hegde said that it was an “adjustment” with the British. “They are desperate for elections and only to get some votes, they are inflicting deep wounds on the soul of India,” Congress’ senior spokesperson Anand Sharma said.

Asserting that the BJP parliamentatain’s statement was condemnable, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the leaders of BJP could afford to call the freedom movement a drama as they never fought for the country’s independence and made any sacrifices. “Such statements reveal their true mindset that they use Gandhi’s name just for show and have no regard for him,” he said.

Sharma said: “Congress has a long history of democratic protests, struggle and for serving the country. We surely do not need any patronising sermons wherever they are coming from, nor do we need any certification of our credentials as a national, inclusive, democratic party that believes in India.”

A senior BJP leader said its top brass, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is “upset” with the sixth-term Lok Sabha MP, who was a minister in the first Modi government, and the Karnataka leader has been asked to take remedial measures, including tendering an apology. The party will take its next course of action after receiving his reply, he added.