Parties slam Modi's 2002 remark, demand apology

Parties cutting across political lines slammed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's "puppy" remarks on the 2002 communal riots and demanded an apology from him.

In an interview to a foreign news agency, Modi had said he had done "absolutely the right thing" during the 2002 riots and that even if a "puppy comes under the wheel of a car, one felt sad".

"We condemn such comparison. He should apologise to the nation," Congress general secretary Ajay Maken said in a statement.

According to the Congress, "there was no place for such comparison in a civilised country and the remark was against the ethos of India".

"We condemn such pervert mentality," said Maken.

The Congress reminded the Gujarat chief minister that even then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had asked him to follow his 'Rajdharma' (duty of protecting the subjects).

"Why such statements are being made before the elections, we fail to understand," said Maken.

Taking a dig at Modi, Congress general secretary in charge of Gujarat Gurudas Kamat said the "certificate given to Modi by BJP veteran L.K. Advani would now be valid in the entire country".

Modi's "puppy" remark angered the Samajwadi Party (SP) also.

"It is a very sad, very humiliating and very disturbing statement... What does he (Modi) think, that Muslims are worse than even puppies? He does not have a heart for them. He should feel sorry. He should apologise," SP spokesmanKamal Farooqui said.

"He (Modi) should be ashamed for using such a language," said Farooqui, adding, "the earlier he apologises, the better it will be. Otherwise, there will be dangerous consequences".

Janata Dal-United leader Shivanand Tiwari, whose party broke away from the BJP over Modi being made the 2014 campaign chief, said: "I don't think Modi is mentally stable. He needs psychoanalysis. Modi's comments prove that he does not believe inclusive politics."

Communist Party of India leader D. Raja said: "It is a desperate attempt to deceive people and hoodwink the Indian masses."

The only support came from BJP's ally Shiv Sena.

Sena leader Sanjay Raut said: "We welcome Modi's stand. It was our strong belief from the time of Balasaheb Thackarey that the nation's leadership should be in the hands of a Hindutva leader. Modi's stand will benefit the NDA (National Democratic Alliance)."