ISLAMABAD: Former Union Minister of Indian Congress Shahshi Tharoor hasclaimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hates Muslims. Mediareports have suggested that Tharoor has plunged into a fresh row bycriticising Modi for his “dislike” towards the Muslim community.

“I ask you, why does our prime minister wear all sorts of outlandishheadgear wherever he goes around the country or around the world? Why doeshe always refuse to wear a Muslim skull cap?” Tharoor said while addressinga seminar on ‘Standing up to hatred, violence and intolerance incontemporary India’ in Thiruvananthapuram.

“You see him in Naga headgears with feathers. You have seen him in variouskinds of extraordinary outfits which is a right thing for a prime ministerto do. But why he still always says no to one? The prime minister dislikesone particular community and discriminates against them in spite of hisparty’s slogan ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’,” the Congress MP fromThiruvananthapuram who served the United Nations as a diplomat earlieradded.

Tharoor’s comments drew sharp responses from many quarters and UnionMinister Kiren Rijiju demanded an apology from the Congress leader. “Idemand apology from the Congress Party for insulting the people of India’sNorth East & Tribals. Shashi Tharoor described North-East people & NagaTribal headgears as funny looking outlandish & hilarious,” Rijiju, a nativeof Arunachal Pradesh, said on Twitter.

However, the Congress leader later clarified that the comments were just anobservation from his side and he would be waiting for an answer. Tharoorwaded into the fresh row just weeks after he sparked another controversy byhis ‘Hindu Pakistan’ comment. The statement drew flak from variouspolitical quarters, with the BJP demanding an apology from Congresspresident Rahul Gandhi.