BJP has spread kerosene all over India, all it needs is ‘one spark’: Rahul

Congress leader says country isn't in 'good place', stresses need to bring religious communities closer

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of India's main opposition party, on Saturday took Modi government to task for its consistent approach of spreading hate in the country, and said "India is not in a good place."

"India is not in a good place," Rahul, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arch-rival," said while at the 'Ideas for India' conclave in London on Friday.

The congressman further observed that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had spread kerosene all over the country. "You need one spark and we'll be in big trouble," Rahul said and termed it a responsibility of the opposition, the Congress to bring people, communities, states and religions together.

The statement invited stern backlash from the ruling party spokesperson, Gaurav Bhatia who accused the Congress leader of "hurting India" with his anti-Modi stance.

Also read: US panel says India religious freedom worsens 'significantly'

According to Times of India, Bhatia went on to accuse the opposition leader of "betraying" the country with his remarks made on a foreign land.

The spokesperson advised Rahul to be "cautious" when 'speaking ill' about India when sitting in a foreign land.

Late last month, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom once again said that religious freedom had deteriorated "significantly" in India under the Hindu nationalist regime, and recommended targeted sanctions over abuses.

It was the third consecutive year that the commission asked that India be placed on a list of "countries of particular concern" – a recommendation that angered New Delhi.

The commission had pointed to a "culture of impunity for nationwide campaigns of threats and violence by mobs and vigilante groups" and arrests of journalists and human rights advocates.