Opp talk of composite heritage but silence on killing of RSS workers hypocrisy: BJP

Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the congress vice president's observations are more of a "political cry" arising out of a deep sense of dismay as to why he and his party are being rejected by the people of the country.

Earlier in the day, Rahul took part in the 'Sanjhi Virasat Bachao' (save country's composite heritage) hosted by rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, where former prime minister Manmohan Singh and other senior Congress members as well as Left party leaders, including CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI national secretary D Raja took part in.

Rahul had also hit out at the government for not being able to keep its promises while targetting the RSS.

"I have a question on the talk of composite heritage ('sanjhi virasat') which is going on today. RSS workers in Kerala's Kannur are being allegedly killed by CPI-M workers, which heritage is that," Prasad asked.

"The organisers of composite heritage - Congress, Left and Sharad Yadav are sitting together, how do they consider the merciless killing of RSS workers in Kannur in Kerala by CPI-M workers and their goons. Is it part of the composite heritage of India? This is hypocrisy," he said.

He claimed that those talking about composite heritage are a coalition of "failed people" and they will keep on failing in the future.

He said he was "intrigued" by Rahul's remark that on the one hand, there are those who loot the country and on the other, there are those who give to the nation.

"People have removed from power those who looted the country. Your party is also there. But today, one thing was clear by his comments. Rahul Gandhi does not give a speech, he cries," Prasad said.

Taking a dig at Sharad Yadav, he said "The person whose entire politics started at the feet of JP, and opposing the Congress, is feeling happy today sitting beside Rahul Gandhi."

He said this is a coalition of people who are in fear of Narendra Modi and the BJP. This is also a coalition of those who have done corruption and now action is being taken, he added.

To a question, he said Rahul has silenced everybody in the Congress to such an extent that despite his party's loss every time under him, nobody dares to ask him any question.

On Kashmir, he said that the government is taking "very firm measures" against the terrorists and separatists and into their funding pattern.

"That shall continue. But the larger commitment for Kashmir by the Prime Minister was outlined in his August 15 speech," he said.

Prasad said that the most objectionable comment by Rahul today was that BJP is packing the judiciary and the media with its own people and will change the Constitution.

"I would expect Rahul Gandhi not to make motivated political comment about the judiciary. India's judiciary is independent and we all respect it. They are left with no issues and out of their political fear saying these things. I appeal to them not to not drag the judiciary."

Prasad said Rahul's grandmother had spoken about committed judiciary during the times of Emergency.

"The political training of Rahul and the political heritage of Rajiv Gandhi have been very unclear as far as independence of judiciary is concerned. The talk of committed judiciary in the 70s when Emergency was there.

"I condemn these utterly irresponsible comments of Rahul concerning the judiciary and media. The Narendra Modi government fully respects the independence of judiciary and fully upholds the independence of media," he added.