'Son of India insulted in US': Modi attacks Congress over assault on journalist in United States

Modi accused the Congress of ‘indulging in brutality’ after Rahul Gandhi’s team beat up an India Today journalist in the United States, reported India Today.

Modi questioned the cruelty meted out to the Indian journalist, taking a dig at the Congress leader over his ‘Mohabbat ki dukaan’ pitch.

"They (Congress) claim to be running ‘Mohabbat ki dukaan’. But a journalist of our country was subjected to cruelty in the USA by Congress. A son of India was insulted in the USA. Those who claim to be champions of freedom of speech indulged in brutality," Modi was quoted as saying by India Today.

Modi, who became the first Prime Minister to visit Doda in 42 years, said Congress’s action against the journalist has lowered India’s prestige on American soil.

The ‘Constitution’ does not suit Congress, Modi said, pointing out that the party hit the ‘dignity of democracy’ by assaulting the journalist as media is an ‘important pillar of democracy’.

"The media is an important pillar of democracy...the way a journalist was treated by locking him in a room, is this a matter that highlights the dignity of democracy? Are you increasing the prestige of India by beating up an Indian journalist on American soil? The word Constitution does not suit your mouth," the Prime Minister further said.

Rohit Sharma, a correspondent for India Today, alleged being manhandled by Congress workers in Dallas while interviewing Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda.

The incident occurred shortly before Rahul Gandhi's arrival in the US for a three-day visit.

According to India Today, Sharma related that his question to Pitroda about Hindus being targeted and killed in Bangladesh was deemed "controversial" by a member of Gandhi's team. The member reportedly objected, saying, "Bandh karo! Interview Bandh karo!"

The journalist recounted that the next 30 minutes were distressing, as around 15 people surrounded him, demanding that the interview be deleted.

Despite defending the question as non-controversial, Congress workers took his phone and deleted the footage from his photo library.

Aware that the video could still be recovered from the "recently deleted" folder, they used Sharma’s face ID to unlock the phone without his consent and fully delete the interview, the report said.

Meanwhile, Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda told the news organisation that he will ‘look into the matter’.

"I will look into it. I don't approve of anybody being mishandled. I do not approve of, you know, not giving respect to journalists. I do not approve of these things," Pitroda said during an interview with India Today TV.

He asserted that he always treated journalists respectfully and in a dignified manner and stood for a "free press".

"I am for free press. You know me. I am for respect and dignity. All I can tell you is I will find out (what happened)," Pitroda further said.