JD-U campaigns against Modi's DNA remark

The Janata Dal-United (JD-U) on Tuesday launched a "shabd wapsi" campaign to put pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take back his DNA remark directed at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Leaders and activists of the party staged a sit-in across the state to protest against Modi's comment at a public rally questioning Nitish Kumar's DNA, a remark the chief minister said was an insult to Biharis.

The party said it will collect and send signatures of 50 lakh people to Modi.

"In this 'shabd wapsi' (take back your word) campaign, at least 50 lakh people of Bihar will join a signature campaign and send their DNA samples to Modiji for DNA test," Nitish Kumar tweeted.

He said as Modi hadn't retracted his "derogatory remarks" despite being requested to, "we'll take the battle to the people now".

The JD-U, along with the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party will also hold a 'Swabhiman' rally on August 29 here.

Last week, in an open letter to Modi, Nitish Kumar said: "Most of us feel that these statements (on DNA), beyond questioning my own descent, have disrespected the lineage of our people and have denigrated the great legacy of the state."

Addressing a public meeting in Muzaffarpur on July 25, Modi said: "There seems to be some problem in his (Nitish Kumar) DNA because the DNA of democracy is not like that. In democracy, you give respect even to your political rivals."