Hardik Patel at a rally during the Patidar agitation (SAM PANTHAKY/AFP/Getty Images)Congress leader and Patidar agitator Hardik Patel is at the centre of a new controversy after making remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi which have been widely condemned as racist towards Nepali people, reports ANI.
Watch the video below:
After voting at Gujarat’s Viramgam, Patel took aim at the prime minister while addressing a group of media persons. He said that if he wanted a chowkidar (watchman) he would look for one in Nepal.
He stated that he wanted a prime minister who would strengthen the country’s economy, education and youth.
“I want a prime minister, not a chowkidar,” he added.
Patel’s comments saw widespread condemnation on social media for using a racial stereotype about Nepalis to make a political statement.
This is not the first time that an opposition leader has used a racist reference to Nepal in an attack on Modi. Previously, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Alka Lamba had similarly posted on Twitter that Indian citizens should vote for a prime minister, as they could obtain a watchman from Nepal.
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