Cong Wants Apology from PM for Patra’s ‘Father of India’ Remark

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra had called PM Modi “desh ka baap” (Father of India) at a news channel show.

File image of BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Sambit Patra)

The Congress on Saturday demanded that Prime Narendra Modi apologise to the country for the “insult” to Mahatma Gandhi by BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra who termed Modi "desh ka baap" (Father of India) at a news channel show, and “show courage” by expelling him.

They had the audacity to insult the ‘Father of the Nation’ Mahatma Gandhi. They can abuse and misbehave with us. We don’t have any objection. We will accept it as the test of democracy. But on behalf of the Congress party and 130 crore Indians I want to say, such insult of Mahatma Gandhi by BJP spokespersons won’t be tolerated by us. Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is termed as the country’s father (<i>desh ka baap</i>).

Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress spokesperson

Further commenting on the issue, Surjewala said, “Nobody ever had the audacity to insult the father of the nation in this manner. This is the same BJP which has dedicated a temple to Nathuram Godse in Madhya Pradesh. A state BJP minister called Godse a Mahapurush.”

‘Would PM Show the Courage?’

Demanding an apology from the Prime Minister, Surjewala asked whether PM Modi would expel Sambit Patra like “Rahul Gandhi did, in case of Mani Shankar Aiyar”. He added that if PM takes this step, the Congress would “praise him.”

We appeal to Modiji to expel Sambit Patra from the BJP. Else it would be proved that your spokesperson is not saying this, you (Modi) are making him say this... because you consider yourself larger than Mahatma Gandhi.

Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress spokesperson

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