BJP today hit back at Congress, which had slammed Narendra Modi for his "secularism" remark in Dublin, saying that criticising the Prime Minister when he is on foreign soil is an "act of contempt and disgrace".
Union minister Prakash Javadekar described the Congress's reaction as "pseudo-secularism".
"It is ironical and ridiculous that Congress has commented on PM's speech in Dublin because he praised the children who chanted Sanskrit Shlokas.
"Sanskrit is studied across the world as language of knowledge and if somebody praises it they are being criticised in India. Congress's reaction displays pseudo-secularism," the minister said.
He said it was an act of contempt to criticise PM when he is on a foreign visit.
"Criticising PM when he is on a foreign land is an 'act of contempt and disgrace' and it is done by Congress. He did not blame any party or person. So you should also not blame him," he said.
"Whenever PM goes to foreign countries he improves the image of the country and new opportunity and investment opportunities are going up. Congress never displayed this kind of passion,"
He also took a dig at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his foreign trip.
"Nobody knows where Congress leaders go, but whenever Modiji goes, he improves the image of the country and generates new opportunities and investment. Congress never displayed this kind of passion," he said.
