PM Modi knows nothing of Indian culture: Congress

New Delhi: The Congress slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, saying that who in India uses their maternal grandfather's surname. The party made the jibe, responding sharply to Modi's remarks that Gandhi's ashamed of using Nehru's name, PTI reported.

"Only god can save the country," AICC general secretary Randeep Surjewala told reporters on Friday. Congress said that Modi has little understanding of Indian culture.

In the presence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge at headquarters here, Surjewala said, "Someone who is sitting in such a responsible position does not know or understand the culture of India...will speak like this.... You can ask any person in the country who uses the maternal grandfather's surname?"

He said, "If he does not even have this basic understanding of India's culture, then only God can save this country."

On Thursday, the PM targeted Congress with the said remarks in Rajya Sabha. This was when Congress criticized the BJP-led Centre for ignoring Jawaharlal Nehru's contributions to nation-building.

Then Modi said, "...if Nehru ji's name is left out by us, we would correct our mistake as he was the first prime minister of the country. But I do not understand why anyone from his clan is afraid of keeping the Nehru surname? Is there any shame in having the Nehru surname? What is the shame? When the family is not ready to accept such a great personality, why do you keep questioning us."

The PM then criticised Nehru and former prime minister Indira Gandhi for repeatedly using Article 356 of the Consitution to topple state governments led by non-Congress parties.