New Delhi: BJP on Saturday hit back at Rahul Gandhi over his "fascist" barb at it, saying the only time a "sustained coercive" campaign was launched against the minorities was when Congress was in power. Taking a swipe, BJP said the Congress vice president was "fortunate" not to have been born as an opposition leader during his grandmother Indira Gandhi's rule.
"It appears Rahul Gandhi's script writers have not read the history of India. The only time a sustained coercive campaign by the government against the minorities, especially Muslims, took place was in the Emergency during Indira Gandhi's time," party spokesperson Nalin Kohli said, referring to the forced sterilisation programme.
"He is very fortunate not to have been born as an opposition leader during his grandmother's time. It is his good fortune that he can speak in such an intolerant manner devoid of facts under a tolerant government of BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Kohli said.
Winding up the two-day national conference to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi on Saturday had attacked BJP and RSS, saying a "fascist" organisation that is openly opposed to the ideology and values of Constitution has acquired decisive power over the Union.
"Secularism is in the blood of Congress and it simply cannot be removed....This is the DNA of our organisation and we just have to reinvigorate that and you will see Congress...will defeat and not just defeat, but smash the RSS and the BJP", Gandhi said.
