Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attacked the Congress for raising the issue of rising intolerance in the country by bringing up the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Addressing an election rally in Purnia, Bihar, for the final phase of the assembly polls, Modi said the Congress should hang its head in shame for the carnage instead of criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government on the issue of intolerance.

More than 2,800 people were killed in the riots 31 years ago, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. Modi said, "Serious allegations were made against the Congress and its leaders. The tears in the eyes of the Sikh victims have not yet dried. Their wounds have not healed.” The prime minister's remarks came as Congress president Sonia Gandhi decided to meet President Pranab Mukherjee to raise the issue of intolerance.

The Congress criticised Modi's comments, saying they were "politically motivated" and "a mischievous attempt to reopen the wounds of 31 years ago when India suffered a tragedy". Congress leader Anand Sharma said Modi had raked up the 1984 riots to "divert attention from rising concerns in the country over orchestrated campaigns to create an atmosphere of fear".