Does Bachchan endorse Modi's role in '02: Cong

NEW DELHI: Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan on Monday found himself at the centre of a bitter war-of-words between Congress and BJP, with Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi taking up cudgels on behalf of the filmstar, dubbing those opposing him as “Talibans of untouchability.’’

Congress retaliated soon after, dismissing Mr Modi’s remarks as those coming from a `frustrated’ man. ``I can understand Mr Modi is feeling very, very frustrated because for the first time in 63 years, a chief minister elected by the people of the country is being made to stand before a Special Investigating Team for about 10 hours in a question-and-answer session,’’ information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said on the sidelines of a function organised by the Congress Seva Dal.

``This has apparently frustrated him to use the word Taliban in a light and flippant manner. Those who have been victims of Taliban, know what Taliban is. He has used the word Taliban so lightly. He should make such statements with some seriousness,’’ she said.

``He (Modi) keeps on saying so many things, why is it necessary to give a reply to whatever he says,’’ Ms Soni said when pressed further on the issue.

Congress spokesman Manish Tewari went a step ahead, and targeted the Bollywood megastar himself for his decision to become the brand ambassador for Gujarat. ``Does he (Amitabh) condemn the role of Mr Modi in the 2002 Gujarat pogrom of 2002 or he endorses it? What does he have to say about the Gujarat massacre and the fake encounters that took place since Mr Modi took over the reins of the state,’’ Mr Tewari sought to know from Mr Bachchan.

"If he is sensible and right-thinking, he will come out strongly against it (the riots).” the Congress spokesman added. His remarks were aimed at cornering Mr Bachchan.

Mr Tewari said Bachchan ``should not build a Chinese Wall between Mr Modi and the sands of Rann of Kutch by justifying the brand ambassadorship of Gujarat.’’

Mr Modi, irked over Congress’ attempts to pillory Mr Bachchan, remained unperturbed, and invoked the Gujarati pride yet again to take on his principal political adversary. Writing in his blog, Mr Modi described 67-year-old film star as ``a great artist with legendary humility and even taller achievements who has chosen to celebrate the glorious heritage of Gujarat’’ even while facing a lot of criticism from many quarters. ``This is inspiring,’’ he said on Sunday.

The anti-Gujarat gameplan behind the opposition, Mr Modi alleged in his blog, stood exposed in broad daylight now. ``These `Talibans of Untouchability’ have lost all their sensibilities in their pursuit of anti-Gujarat attitudes,’’ he asserted. ``They may well in future tell us not to eat even salt. They may even ban the eating of Amul butter and milk and order our young people not to wear denim jeans! Because Gujarat produces these things,’’ he wrote.