Nitish Kumar criticises Modi government over IIT-Madras student body derecognition

PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said derecognition of the students group in IIT Madras for being "critical of PM" was "an attack on democracy" and "reflected dictatorial and fascist face" of the Centre.

"The derecognition of the students group, many of whom are Dalits, amounted to curbing fundamental rights of a citizen of free speech and expression," Kumar told reporters.

"Its an attack on democracy and reflected the dictatorial and fascist face of the Central government," he said while coming out of a function organised by SC and ST department here.

"The trend is a threat to unity of the country," he added. Kumar made a scathing attack at Union ministers making tour of the state and criticising him and his government in the name of celebration of completion of one year of the Narendra Modi government.

"Ministers have been para-trooping into Bihar with sole objective to attack me...they have not done anything for the state in their respective departments but holding press conferences merely to criticise me," Kumar said.

"Ek baat achi hain ki yeh log itna bol rahene ki kisi ko yaad hi nahin rahenga kya bole the (One thing is good that these ministers are speaking so much that people would not remember their words)," he said taking a jibe on Union ministers whom he described as "prachar master" (publicity experts).

On Land Acquisition Bill which the Central government was trying to bring again, Kumar, a senior JD(U) leader, said the BJP has made it a "prestige issue".

"The BJP government at the Centre has made Land Bill a prestige issue which they want to bring in action anyhow to take land of farmers for corporates," Kumar said.

The Bihar Chief Minister, who sat on a day-long protest fast over Land Bill, said his party would continue to oppose the "anti-farmer" legislation.