Cong seeks to turn tables on BJP in Ramya case

New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) Congress today sought to turntables on BJP over its attack on actress-turned-politicianRamya, contending that if wanting better ties with Pakistanwas sedition then the first case should be lodged againstPrime Minister Narendra Modi. "The entire country wants a better relationship betweenIndia and Pakistan. Certain elements in BJP and RSS areunnecessarily trying to gain cheap publicity by polluting…." "If wanting better relations with Pakistan is sedition,then the first case should be lodged against the PrimeMinister who made an impromptu stopover for festivities withthe Pakistan premier," the party’s chief spokesman RandeepSurjewala told reporters here. He said that the second case should be filed against BJPveteran L K Advani for praising Pakistan founder Mohammed AliJinnah. Such cases should also be filed against all former PrimeMinisters, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for advocatingpeace between India and Pakistan, he said. Surjewala advised BJP and its leaders to refrain fromplaying petty politics and look at more serious issues facingthe country. The Congress reaction came after a private complaint in acourt in Somwarpet in Kodagu district of Karnataka soughtaction on sedition and other charges against 33-year-old Ramyafor "insulting" Indian patriots by her remark that "Pakistanis not hell". The issue kicked up a controversy with questions beingraised over invoking a colonial-era law to curb free speech. Ramya’s remarks triggered a bitter backlash on socialmedia and BJP and ABVP workers staged protests terming herremarks "anti-national", the actress stood her ground andruled out tendering any apology, saying she has not saidanything wrong. PTI SPGSC