Latching on to the Supreme Court's judgment on Friday, BJP president Amit Shah claimed that the Congress stands "exposed" as the court refused to interfere with the arrests of five activists in the Koregaon-Bhima violence case and said those who politicised the issue need to apologise and clear their stand on the Urban Naxalism.
"Those who stooped down to the level of politicising an issue of national security have been exposed by the Honourable Supreme Court's decision today. It is high time that the Congress now clears its stand on this critical issue of Urban Naxalism," said BJP president in a series of tweets.
After the arrests of activists by the police, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had criticised the action in a tweet on August 28 saying there is place for only one NGO in India and it's called the RSS.
"Shut down all other NGOs. Jail all activists and shoot those that complain. Welcome to the new India," he had said maintaining that the Modi-Government had turned intolerant towards those who disagreed with it or have dissenting voices.
Alluding to the comment of the Congress president, Shah said "There is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress. Support 'Bharat Ke Tukde Tukde Gang' (break India gang), Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements. Defame all those who are honest and working. Welcome to Rahul Gandhi's Congress," said the BJP top leader.
India is a vibrant democracy with a healthy culture of debate, discussion and dissent, he said, adding that "plotting against the country with the intent to harm its citizens is not one of these".
Those who politicised this issue need to apologise, he said.
Shah reacted after the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the arrest of five rights activists by the Maharashtra Police in connection with the Koregaon-Bhima violence case and declined to appoint a SIT to probe their arrest.
Meanwhile, at a press conference, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra made a scathing attack on Rahul and described him " Nirlaj" (Shameless) for standing with those who, according to him, are seeking to break the country.
Citing comments of Rahul and other Congress leaders against the BJP and the Narendra Modi Government following arrests of the activists, he said the Congress leader stood with them "shamelessly" to promote his political interests.
"This is defeat of the Congress. Rahul Gandhi should hang his head in shame," Patra said.
"Our country and national security mean nothing for Rahul Gandhi, and the only thing important for him is his political agenda... Why don't you stand with India and why do you stand with anti-India forces?" he asked Rahul.
Demanding an apology from Rahul, he alleged the Congress wanted to remove Modi either with the help of Pakistan or Maoists. He charged that Congress leader Mani Shnakar Aiyar had asked Pakistan to help displace Modi as Prime Minister.