MANGALURU, 9 JULY

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Bharath Shetty on Monday sparked controversy, saying that Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should be "slapped" for his alleged anti-Hindu remarks.

Addressing a protest march in Mangaluru on Monday, a BJP MLA said that Congress leaders who call themselves Hindus 'only talk about violence, hatred and lies'.

"He follows anti-Hindu policy. If you look at his statement, it is clear that he is a big madman. He should have slapped Gandhi on the cheek inside the Parliament," he said. He further attacked Gandhi for holding a picture of the Hindu god Shiva, and said, "He calls Hindus violent. Madman does not know that if Lord Shiva opened his third eye, he (LoP) would turn into ashes."

BJP MLA alleged that Gandhi changed his stance based on the region he visits and claimed, "When he comes to Gujarat, Gandhi becomes an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. When he goes to Tamil Nadu he becomes an atheist, when he goes to Kerala he becomes secular."

He said on Gandhi's performance in Lok Sabha elections and said that "After getting only 99 Lok Sabha seats in General Election; Gandhi is claiming to have made a great achievement." ANI