Bharat mata ki jai row: CPI(M) asks Devendra Fadnavis to retract statement

NEW DELHI: Hitting out at Devendra Fadnavis and Ramdev for their remarks on the issue of chanting ' Bharat mata ki jai' slogan, CPI(M) today asked the Maharashtra Chief Minister to retract his comment, while demanding that a case be filed against the yoga guru.

Targeting Fadnavis, the Left party said his stand is in "gross violation" of the Constitutional position he holds and reflected the "view of an RSS activist and not that of a Chief Minister".

"What the Chief Minister has said is that those who do not agree with the Hindutva version of nationalism have no right to stay in the country.

"This is the view of an RSS activist and not that of a Chief Minister who has sworn to uphold the Constitution. The politburo demands Fadnavis retracts this statement immediately," CPI(M) said in a statement.

The party claimed the "climate of hate and intolerance" being created is also illustrated by "rabidly communal" stand of Ramdev.

"This speech is an incitement to violence and communal hatred. The concerned authorities should immediately file a case under relevant provisions of IPC," the party insisted.

Fadnavis had on Saturday night said that those unwilling to say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' have no right to stay in the country.

"There is still a dispute over saying 'Bharat Mata ki jai' and those opposing to say it, should not have any right to stay here. Those living here should say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai," he had said at a public meeting held in Nashik.

On the other hand, Ramdev triggered controversy stating he respects the law of the land and Constitution otherwise "lakhs of heads would have been cut for opposing the chanting of Bharat Mata ki jai".