Cong. urges PM Modi to not politicise sacrifices of soldiers

The Congress party on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to not politicise the sacrifices of soldiers.

Sharma told ANI, "I am shocked by the irresponsible statement made by Prime Minister Modi. We have been reminding him that he is the Prime Minister and should not be speaking like one in opposition. As far as the Indian National Congress (INC) is concerned we have always given highest respect to our soldiers and to the martyrs. It is this Prime Minister, who has been selective in recognising and respecting the martyrs. I would like to remind him that the congress party has fought terrorism alongside the people of India and made supreme sacrifices. Let him not forget the martyrdom of former prime minister's Indira Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi."

"When it comes to our armies and our great soldiers who are defending the frontiers, the entire nation stands as one. Today we are concerned that the terror attack are mounting and despite the Prime Minister's boastful games is not being a single day that the Indian soldiers are not being killed. It's not the question of numbers but a question of families. I would have to remind him not play politics with the sacrifice of martyrs. This unbecoming of the position he holds as India's Prime Minister will not take him too far," he added.

Sharma further castigated Prime Minister Modi for questioning Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's meeting with Chinese ambassador.

"Prime Minister remarks shows his poor taste. I would like to ask Prime Minister Modi that the ambassadors of any country can only meet him and his minister and not the leaders from opposition. Who has given him the right to comment in such a way? We reject whatever he has said," he added.

Earlier in the week, while addressing a gathering in Bengaluru, Prime Minister Modi said, "Why are Congress leaders lending their voice to those who want 'Azaadi' in Kashmir? This is an insult to our brave soldiers," he said.

This reaction from the Prime Minister comes a day after P. Chidamabaram said, when people of Jammu and Kashmir ask for 'azadi', they seek greater autonomy.