Congress 'prince' insults our Maharajas, forgets atrocities by Nawabs: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly insulting Hindu kings but keeping mum on atrocities committed by Muslim rulers like Aurangzeb.

Addressing an election rally in Karnataka's Belagavi, PM Modi said, "The statements made by the Shehzada of Congress (referring to Rahul Gandhi) have been made very thoughtfully to appease their vote bank... But the Shehzada does not say a word about the atrocities committed by the Nawabs, Nizams, Sultans, and Badshahs... Congress does not remember the atrocities committed by Aurangzeb who destroyed thousands of our temples. Congress forms political alliances with parties who praise Aurangzeb. They do not talk about all those who destroyed our pilgrimage sites, looted them, killed our people, and killed cows."

The Prime Minister was referring to a video clip of Rahul Gandhi shared by many BJP leaders. In the video clip, the Congress leader is heard saying, "During the rule of Rajas and Maharajas, they could do whatever they want, even grab someone's land. The Congress, along with the people of the country, achieved independence and brought democracy."

The Prime Minister also mentioned the death of a Karnataka Congress corporator's daughter, who was killed by her former colleague in her college.

"The Congress government gives priority to appeasement. For them, the lives of daughters like Neha have no value. They are only concerned about their vote bank," he said.

Neha Hiremath, daughter of Congress Councillor of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Niranjan Hiremath, was stabbed to death on the campus of BVB College on April 18 by her ex-classmate Fayaz.

PM Modi also accused the Congress of allying with "anti-national parties".

"Not only this, Congress has used PFI (Popular Front of India) for votes... which is an anti-national organisation that gives shelter to terrorism and which has been banned by the Modi government. Congress is engaged in defending such a terrorist organisation PFI just to win one seat, Wayanad," he said.

Rahul Gandhi is the sitting MP from Wayanad in Kerala and is seeking another term from the seat in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024.