CPI-M blasts Fadnavis, Ramdev over Bharat Mata comment

The CPI-M on Monday accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of violating his constitutional position by saying that those unwilling to say 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' have no right to stay in the country.

"What the chief minister has said is that those who do not agree with the

Hindutva version of nationalism have no right to stay in the country," the Communist Party of India-Marxist said in a statement.

"This is the view of an RSS activist and not that of a chief minister who has sworn to uphold the constitution," it said. The CPI-M urged Fadnavis to retract his statement immediately.

"The climate of hate and intolerance being created is also illustrated by the rabidly communal stand of (yoga guru) Ramdev when he said that he would have cut off the heads of those who do not shout the slogan hailing Bharat Mata.

"This speech is an incitement to violence and communal hatred. The concerned authorities should immediately file a case under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code."