Congress condemns remarks by BJP ministers, questions Modi's silence

Condemning remarks by BJP Union Ministers on changing the Constitution and shooting the doctors, the Congress on Tuesday termed them "against the idea and ideals of India" and asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi will break his silence on the issue.

It also said "abusing the oath of office" and "denigrating the Constitution and its values" have become distinctive features of the Modi government.

"All these statements have a common link and agenda. They are meant to propagate and practice the sectarian ideology of the BJP-RSS. We shall fight this challenge in Parliament and in the court of people," said Congress spokesperson Gaurav Gogoi.

"RSS and BJP's sole agenda is to change and modify the basic nature and structure of the Constitution and to impose their hate filled, bigoted and prejudiced ideology on India and its people.

"Hypocrite BJP which pretends to respect Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution is showing its true colours as it embarks on a sinister mission to alter the ethos of the Constitution," he said.

Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde had said that the BJP has come to power to change the Constitution and will do so in the near future to remove the word secular from it, while Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir had equated senior doctors in a government hospital with Maoists and said they get bullets.

Terming these statements "malicious and sinister attempts" which "have not only denigrated and demolished the values, principles and the soul of the Constitution but has also exposed their false love for Babasaheb Ambedkar", Gogoi said: "Will the Prime Minister break his silence on the remarks by Hegde, who openly spoke about changing the Constitution. We take strong exception to this remark.

He said Ahir's "ridiculous statement" was "an outright insult to the medical profession and those who save lives".

Also noting that Modi attended the oath-taking ceremony of the new Gujarat government, whose ministers included Bachubhai Khapad who faces three criminal cases, Gogoi asked if the Prime Minister will take cognizance of this fact and have him dropped from the ministry.

He also said that BJP's Uttar Pradesh minister Prakash Rajbhar has insulted the poor by saying that they give their vote because of alcohol and chicken, adding this "clearly demonstrates the anti-poor mindset of the BJP and its government".

--IANS

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