BJP spreading communal vitriol in the country: Congress

New Delhi, Nov 12: Accusing the BJP of spreading communal vitriol in the country despite a crushing defeat in Bihar polls, the Congress lashed out at the ruling party for "distorting" historical facts and for the violence during the birth anniversary celebrations of Tipu Sultan in Karnataka.

Using the Hindi phrase of "Ulta chor kotwal ko dhante" (pot calling the kettle black) to dismiss BJP's demand for the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress Chief Spokesperson Randeep Sujewala alleged BJP is spreading hatred across the country.

"Even though BJP had a crushing defeat in Bihar, they have not stopped spreading communal hatred across the country," he said. The Congress accused the BJP of distorting facts.

The Congress leader claimed that the there was no procession at Coorg in Karnataka and the event (birth anniversary celebrations of Tipu Sultan) was being held indoors. Surjewala alleged that VHP had tried to obstruct the anniversary celebrations of Tipu Sultan at Coorg and the police had resorted to a lathi charge. He claimed that Kuttappa of VHP had run and fallen into a drain and injured his head.

"He died because of that injury," Surjewala said adding that while people were returning from the anniversary celebrations of Tipu Sultan, some people had opened fire at them leading to another death.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit shah should put an end to the attempt to spread communal hatred. He demanded that Home Minister Rajnath Singh should clamp down on the outfits indulging in violence and communalism.

Talking about Tipu Sultan, he said BJP has been distorting history for years. He said the kings and kingdoms of past are part of history and their actions can be a mixture of good and bad.

He asked if BJP knows that Tipu Sultan kept a temple town of Srirangapatna as his capital, gave annual grants to temples, founded a church and fought against the British till his death.

Asked about the alleged death threat to BJP MP Prathap Simha on social media, he said additional security has been provided and the police is investigating the case and is the process of getting information about the user from Facebook.

PTI