Watch | PM Modi cites 1984 riots to counter Congress intolerance attack

Under sharp criticism over the 'growing intolerance' in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hit back at the Congress and reminded the grand old party of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. “Today is November 2. Remember the November 2 of 1984. After the assassination of Indira Gandhi (on October 31), Sikhs were being slaughtered. The Congress party faced serious allegations. Today they are giving us lessons on tolerance,” Modi said at a rally in Bihar ahead of the fifth and last phase of the ongoing assembly polls in the state. The PM's comments came at a time a debate has erupted over 'growing intolerance', with many writers and filmmakers returning the awards they received to protest against the government's alleged failure to protect the secular fabric and safeguard dissenters. The Congress president had earlier termed the recent events as the 'diabolical design' of divisive forces to spread hatred, which posed a threat to the country's unity.