Patriotism being abused in the country: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday claimed that patriotism and nationalist feelings are being abused in the country and said the people should be cautious of those who indulge in it for the sake of votebank politics.

He alleged that the political parties which did not recognise the sacrifices made by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and other freedom fighters are now questioning the valour of the armed forces - a reference to the air strikes at Balakot in Pakistan.

"The country is witnessing a peculiar trend of abuse of partriotism and nationalist feelings. West Bengal is the land where the national song Vande Mataram was created. This is the land of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhaya. But here the song is being misintepreted to serve vote bank politics," Modi said at a poll rally here.

The people of the country should be wary of such forces who think "hundred times" before shouting slogans in favour of the motherland in order to serve the purposes of their vote bank politics, ...