Congress leader PL Punia said the government on one hand spoke about upholding freedom of speech and on the other they took down the people who opposed their ideologies.
Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of 'curbing freedom of speech and expression' in the country, the Congress on Wednesday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for attacking those who did not agree or were not in tandem with the Centre.
"Freedom of expression is the greatest power in a democracy. But these days if a Hindu speaks out against the government then they are branded as a traitor and if it's a Muslim then he is told to go to Pakistan. So does one's love for the nation stem from their feelings towards Modi ji and the BJP?" Congress leader Pramod Tiwari told ANI.
Backing Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi"s statement attacking the Prime Minister for intolerance, Tiwari said that democracy was at threat if one"s patriotism towards the nation was measured on their feelings towards the government.
Related Read: Intolerance was displayed during Partition, Emergency and 84 riots: Rajnath Singh in LS
Echoing similar sentiments, Congress leader PL Punia said the government on one hand spoke about upholding freedom of speech and on the other they took down the people who opposed their ideologies.
"The major difference between India and Pakistan is that they don't enjoy the freedom that we have as they have been seeing more of a dictatorship," Punia told ANI.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the discussion on intolerance in the country on Wednesday, Rahul had said that India has been successful because the people have had the freedom and space to talk and urged the government to listen to the voice of the people.
Related Read: Intolerance debate: Rahul Gandhi tells PM Modi not to learn wrong lessons from Pakistan
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