Cong asks Modi to ‘apologise’ to the nation over his statement

New Delhi, Aug 18 (PTI) Congress today asked PrimeMinister Narendra Modi to "forthwith apologise" to the nationover his statement that BJP has faced more adversities inindependent India as compared to what Congress would haveduring the British rule. "The Prime Minister has humiliated and denigrated theentire freedom struggle of India. Coming from the PrimeMinister, this is unacceptable. We will not tolerate it." "He should withdraw the statement and he should forthwithapologise to the nation," the party’s Chief SpokespersonRandeep Surjewala said in a sharp reaction to the PrimeMinister’s comments. Taking a dig at BJP and the Sangh Parivar, Surjewalaalleged that Modi has "disowned" the freedom struggle and"belittled" the sacrifices of freedom fighters as the rulingparty did not participate in the movement for independence. "Neither BJP nor RSS or the predecessor organisation ofBJP participated in the freedom struggle. They actuallysupported the British…," he said. His reaction came close on the heels of the PrimeMinister’s remarks that BJP has faced more adversities inindependent India as compared to what Congress would haveduring the British rule. Asserting that BJP has made more sacrifices than any otherparty, Modi, who laid the foundation stone of the new partyheadquarters here, said, "BJP will be the only party which hasfaced adversities since its birth. It faced difficulties atevery turn and its every effort was seen in bad light. "Even during the British time, the Congress party wouldnot have faced so much adversity that we, our dedicatedworkers have gone through in 50-60 years," he said. PTI SPGSC