NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore today attacked the Congress saying its president Rahul Gandhi is talking about love but spokespersons of his party are resorting to violence.
Rathore's remarks came after the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) gave a memorandum to him against behaviour of a Congress spokesperson.
"National Union of Journalists has given me a document wherein they have protested against the behaviour of an official spokesperson of the Congress who I think yesterday utterly misbehaved and abused an anchor on national network, probably (during) a live broadcast," Rathore said.
The minister said he has also been told that the same Congress spokesperson had assaulted a journalist a few days ago.
Asserting that such incidents give a very wrong message in democracy, Rathore said if this is done on live broadcast on a national network, what security and safety would there be for journalists in regional areas and smaller towns.
"This should be noted very seriously by Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is continuously talking about love and non-violence, but his party spokespersons are resorting to violence.
This must be taken very seriously by him. Democracy should not be brought down to such low levels," Rathore said.
Tagging a video of the incident, the minister also tweeted, "Manifestation of Rahul Gandhi's 'love': A desperate Congress targeting media with disgusting language.
So much for the 'champions of freedom of speech'.
New low in Indian democracy.
" The NUJ general secretary Manoj Verma said Congress spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi threatened a TV journalist and used abusive language.
"Such language is dangerous for democracy and not just for the media," Verma said.
The minister heard the members of the delegation and assured that he will take appropriate steps in the matter.