Hug meme disgusting', says BJP

New Delhi: The BJP on Sunday termed as “irresponsible” and “disgusting,” a tweet and a meme by the main Opposition Congress on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visit to India. The Congress’s twitter handle again used the “Hugplomacy” barb at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who broke protocol to personally receive his Israeli counterpart and his wife at the airport.

The Congress’s twitter handle also posted a meme of video clippings of Mr Modi giving hugs to various foreign leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, among others. The BJP termed the tweet as “irresponsible” and said it showed the opposition party’s “immaturity and lack of political sensibility.” The BJP also hit back saying “Jinko nahin Bhartiyata ka gyan, wahi kare mehmaanon ka apmaan (those who don’t know Indianness, they mistreat guests).”

The Congress tweeted: “With Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu visiting India, we look forward to more hugs from PM Modi! #Hugplomacy,” along with the meme. On earlier occasions also, the Congress including its president Rahul Gandhi, had used the “hugplomacy” barbs at Mr Modi.

Union minister Prakash Javadekar said the Congress “seems to have lost senses. What they have tweeted shows their  immaturity and lack of political sensibility. We condemn this. I hope wisdom prevails on them some day.” Mr Javadekar further said that the Congress “lacks concrete issues to discuss so they tweeted a disgusting video showing PM Modi when he was receiving Israel PM. This not only insults our PM but also a guest.”

Reacting sharply, BJP national spokesperson Samit Patra said while the world is watching as to what is growing between India and Israel, “a great relationship is brewing,” the main Opposition party is giving out such kind of irresponsible tweet.