Mathura: Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday flayed the Opposition for supporting anti-national sentiments in the name of freedom of expression.
Speaking at the national convention of BJP’s youth wing – Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha – in Mathura, Irani, in a veiled attack, at the Opposition said it is sad to see some political parties owing to their vested interests are supporting anti-national sentiments.
“It is the misfortune of the nation that few political leaders supported those who backed Afzal Guru, Maqbool Bhat, Yakub Menon and in the name of freedom of expression,” she said.
Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah criticised Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and his party for backing “anti-nationals” amid the Jawaharlal Nehru University controversy.
“There is a big conspiracy going on in the country. Some people are trying to justify anti-national sloganeering as freedom of expression and such anti-national elements are being portrayed as patriots,” Shah said.
“The Congress should be ashamed of backing such elements. The youth of this country will give a befitting reply to Rahul Gandhi for supporting those who raised slogans to break India,” the BJP president said while demanding Congress president Sonia Gandhi to come out clear on her stand over the JNU row.
ANI