Kapil Sibal Says PM Modi "Not Real Hindu"; BJP Calls Him "Rome-Bhakt"

New Delhi: Congress leader Kapil Sibal has claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not a "real Hindu" as he has "quit" Hinduism and embraced Hindutva. The former union minister's remarks invited a sharp reaction from the BJP, which said people know who is a "Ram bhakt" (devotee to Lord Ram) and who is a "Rome bhakt", a clear dig at Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's Italian origin.

The sharp exchange of words between the two parties came a day after they fought over Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's faith following appearance of his name in a register, which was meant for non-Hindus, in Somnath temple where he had gone on Wednesday.

"I want to ask how many times does the prime minister go to temples daily? The one who respects the sentiments of Hindusim also respects temples. You have quit Hindu religion. You have embraced Hindutva which has nothing to do with Hinduism. You are not a real Hindu," Mr Sibal said told the media as he targeted PM Modi.

Reacting to the former union minister's comment, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said, "People know who's a 'Ram bhakt' and a "Rome bhakt". The Congress government told the Supreme Court in 2007 that Lord Ram didn't exist. 'Babar ki bhakti' was to deny Hindus temple in Ayodhya," he said.

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Mr Rao alleged that the Congress called Hindus terrorists.

BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli also attacked Mr Sibal.

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"Like his famous zero loss theory in the 2G scam which was rejected by the Supreme Court when it cancelled the licences, Kapil Sibal has come up with another zero theory saying Narendra Modi is not a real Hindu," he said.