Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary CT Ravi on Tuesday said the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra is "nothing but a Communal yatra to save the sinking ‘Fake Gandhis”.
The Karnataka BJP MLA also accused Rahul Gandi who is leading the Kashmir to Kanyakumari foot march, of “glorifying” the hijab - a controversy that sparked outrage in the southern state after Muslim girls were denied permission entry to classrooms for wearing the headscarves.
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Ravi's remarks came in response to a photograph of the former Congress president walking with a little girl wearing a headscarf. On Monday, the photo was released on the official Twitter account of the Congress party.
Ravi also slammed Gandhi for meeting controversial preacher George Ponnaiah in Kerala. “From patronising a controversial Christian Pastor to glorifying the hijab, Congress co-owner Rahul Gandhi is doing everything to prove that he and his party survive on appeasement politics", he tweeted.
Last week Gandhi stirred a controversy after a video of him interacting with Ponnaiah went viral. In the video, the Congress leader can be seen discussing Jesus Christ. "He is a real God revealed as a human person. Not like Shakti," Ponnaiah told Gandhi.
{{/usCountry}}Last week Gandhi stirred a controversy after a video of him interacting with Ponnaiah went viral. In the video, the Congress leader can be seen discussing Jesus Christ. "He is a real God revealed as a human person. Not like Shakti," Ponnaiah told Gandhi.
{{/usCountry}}Watch: Video of Rahul Gandhi helping girl wear sandal goes viral
The Bharat Jodo Yatra began on September 7 from Kanyakumari amid jibes from the BJP, questioning the need of the march and urging the Congress to first unify the party.
On Tuesday, Gandhi kick-started the 13th day of his march from Cherthala along with thousands of party workers.
The yatra began with the planting of a Rambutan sapling at St. Michael's College. It was organised by Sasthravedi, the environment wing of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee.
The yatra has so far covered a distance of 255 km in 12 days, AICC general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said.
(With inputs from agencies)