New Delhi: US President Donald Trump calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘Father of the Nation’ is an insult to Mahatma Gandhi, according to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. He also attacked Union Minister Jitendra Singh for saying that those who do not feel proud of Trump’s comment that Modi is the father of India, do not consider themselves Indians.
“Well, I am certainly not proud of the ‘praise’ and think it is an insult to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. So my friend Dr Jitendra Singh, will you out me as a non-Indian? Do so if this is your criteria,” Jairam Ramesh tweeted.
Congress spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi said the people of India are very knowledgeable and smart, and they can make out who the father of the nation is and there is no doubt that it is Mahatma Gandhi.
“The Father of the Nation can only be one person and that is Mahatma Gandhi, as he preached non-violence and he is revered across the world,” Rajiv Tyagi stated.
Asked if Modi was not a proponent of non-violence, Tyagi said Indians are very intelligent and they would not go by any foreign leader’s remark, as they know how to take their decisions.
Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh had earlier said Wednesday, “People who live abroad are proud today of being Indian. This is happening due to the personality and personal outreach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Trump had heaped praise Tuesday on Modi in New York. “I remember India before was very torn. There was a lot of dissension, fighting and he brought it all together. Like a father would. Maybe he is the father of India,” Trump had said.
PTI