Chandigarh. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said on Monday that whenever people criticize the Modi government, they are accused of being anti-national. He said that efforts are being made to suppress dissent. The Congress leader compared the government led by the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the reign of the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that Nehru had said that democracy has to be established and encouraged among the people of India. Referring to Modi, Tharoor said that a ‘chaiwala’ could become the Prime Minister of the country due to the democratic institutions and values established by Nehru 70 years ago.
Tharoor, who was accompanied by former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, said, “In a democracy, we have the right to challenge and criticize the government. But whenever you criticize the government, you are accused of being anti-national.” Tharoor, who came here after campaigning for his party candidates in Punjab, said in a press conference, “This means that your criticism is no longer valid. You are termed anti-Hindu and anti-national, what is this?” About Nehru, Tharoor said, “Today is his 60th death anniversary. He contributed to the creation and development of our democracy.”