Congress demands apology from BJP for Gadkari's Vivekananda comments

Attacking the BJP over party president Nitin Gadkari's comment drawing a comparison between the IQ level of Swami Vivekananda and fugitive don Dawood Ibhrahim, the Congress on Monday said it demonstrates the party's "level of thinking and mentality" and demanded an apology.

Attacking the BJP over party president Nitin Gadkari's comment drawing a comparison between the IQ level of Swami Vivekananda and fugitive don Dawood Ibhrahim, the Congress on Monday said it demonstrates the party's "level of thinking and mentality" and demanded an apology.

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Information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari said Gadkari's speech at an event in Bhopal Sunday is "yet another manifestation of their culture and mentality. How can anyone compare one of India's foremost thought leaders with a criminal or with somebody who has clearly dubious and notorious records."

"It clearly demonstrates both the level and thinking and mentality of the BJP," he said.

He said while on the one hand there were BJP leaders like Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi who "professes loyalty and sincerity to the ideals of Swami Vivekananda" on the other the party chief was comparing the spiritual leader to Dawood Ibrahim.

Tewari said that a "mere clarification" would not suffice and the BJP should "apologise to the people of this country, and specifically to the thinking people and the leaders of India."