"They (Congress) claim to be running 'Mohabbat ki dukaan'. But a journalist of our country was subjected to cruelty in the USA by Congress. A son of India was insulted in the USA," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Those who claim to be champions of freedom of speech indulged in brutality," remarked Modi, who became the first Prime Minister to visit Doda in 42 years.
PM Modi said the manner in which the journalist was treated lowered India's prestige on American soil. He also said the word "Constitution" does not suit the Congress, attempting to turn the tables on the party which has repeatedly accused the BJP of subverting the Constitution.
Rohit Sharma, the India Today correspondent, said that he was manhandled by Congress workers in Dallas when he was conducting an interview with Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda. The incident happened just before Rahul Gandhi landed in the US for a three-day visit.
Sharma said his question to Pitroda about Hindus being targeted and killed in Bangladesh was objected to by a member of Gandhi's team as "controversial".
The reporter said during the 30-minute ordeal, his mobile phone was snatched, and the entire video of the interview was deleted. Sharma said the Congress workers unlocked his phone without his consent.
Reacting to the incident, Pitroda said he does not appreciate this kind of treatment and assured that he would look into the matter.
"I will look into it. I don't approve of anybody being mishandled. I do not approve of, you know, not giving respect to journalists. I do not approve of these things," Pitroda said during an interview with India Today TV.
The Indian Overseas Congress chief asserted that he always treated journalists with respect and dignity and stood for a "free press".
"The media is an important pillar of democracy...the way a journalist was treated by locking him in a room, is this a matter that highlights the dignity of democracy? Are you increasing the prestige of India by beating up an Indian journalist on American soil?
The word Constitution does not suit your mouth," the Prime Minister further said.
Rohit had earlier complained that his "final question" to Sam Pitroda on the fate of Hindus in Bangladesh changed everything:
"Will Rahul Gandhi raise the issue of Hindus being killed in Bangladesh during his meetings with US lawmakers?"
Before Sam could fully answer - beginning with, "It’s up to Rahul and the lawmakers to decide what's relevant, I can't speak on their behalf but...” - chaos erupted.
One person in the room yelled that the question was "controversial," and others joined in, escalating their tone. Then, a member of Rahul’s advance team seized my phone and began shouting, "Band karo! Band karo!"—"Stop it! Stop the interview!"
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