Jairam Ramesh demands Rahul Gandhi's apology for ISI remarks, blames media later

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and Rural Development minister Jairam Ramesh on Saturday said the Musilm community was hurt by Rahul Gandhi's remarks about ISI getting in touch with Muzaffarnagar riot-hit youth and suggested that the Congress Vice President should apologise.

However, the Union Minister rejected the reports saying media 'twisted' his remarks.

"What will Rahul Gandhi say or do, I can't say. If you're saying he should clarify his statement and apologise, then I agree with you," he said during an interaction with Urdu media professionals at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in New Delhi.

He said even some of his non-Muslim friends had expressed dismay over the ISI comments. Ramesh, however, said Gandhi's intention was never to hurt anyone.

"He has not raised any question on the (Muslim) community, hasn't shown any suspicion or doubted their intentions. I agree that the statement shouldn't have been made the way it was made," Jairam Ramesh said.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Ramehs said, "I didn't say that Rahul should apologise, you (media) twisted it."

Rahul Gandhi had triggered a controversy and slammed by the opposition for his remarks last month that Pakistan's ISI was in touch with Muzaffarnagar riot victims.

He was served a notice by the Election Commission on October 31 on the charge of model code violation by over his remarks.

Gandhi had pleaded not guilty to the charge while seeking to justify his controversial remark.

Meanwhile, Congress party has distanced itself from Jairam Ramesh's remarks.

Party spokesperson Meem Afzal today said Gandhi has already clarified his statement in reply to the Election Commission (EC) and the party has also spoken about the issue. "I do not know what Jairam Ramesh has said. But whatever he might have said may be his personal view. This is not the view of the party," Afzal said. Afzal said his party respects the wisdom of the EC, adding that it had appreciated Gandhi's intentions.

However, taking a dig at Ramesh's comments the BJP said it has to be seen whether Rahul will apologise to Muslim community or the former will apologise to his party leader.

BJP spokesperson Siddharth Nath Singh said Gandhi had hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community and should have apologised to them by now.