BJP using nationalism to build 'fascist Hindu rashtra': CPI (M)

New Delhi : CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury on Monday compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government with Hitler rule and alleged that the ruling dispensation at the Centre was using 'nationalism' as an 'ideological weapon'.

Yechuray told ANI that the RSS once has retained its position as the dominant guide of this government.

"The RSS has maintained its creed and still withholds by it that Hindus only are the true nationals, the rest are not nationals. They have very uncharitable comments about the rest of the religions. This is not Indian nationalism as our Constitution stands," said Yechury.

"The Constitution guarantees fundamental rights and equality to all citizens. So, nationalism can be expressed in various forms. 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' is only one of them," he said.

"This attitude is just the replay of the way Hitler used nationalism for the rise of fascism in Germany. They are using nationalism as an ideological weapon. They want to convert the secular democratic republic of India into their version of what they call a Hindu Rashtra, a rapidly intolerant, fascist Hindu rashtra," he added.

Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, had earlier also criticised Prime Minister Modi-led government for not putting a check on increasing communal hatred in the nation.

Citing examples of the recent communal episodes, Azad said that he had never seen the nation so tensed while stating that the thoughts of secularism prospered even during the regime of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.