NEW DELHI: The Government and the Congress on Tuesday took potshots at Chief Minister Narendra Modi's offer to Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen to come to Gujarat, saying it was an opportunity for him to 'atone for his sins'.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi, in a tongue-in-cheek remark, told "Modi could get rid of the sins of the past by the offer. He could hope to purify his soul and that of entire BJP."
In a separate press conference, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi was more caustic, remarking that Modi has a lot to answer before he invites Nasreen to take shelter in Gujarat.
"Modi has a lot to answer for. Modi should start by protecting the women of Gujarat. We know what he has done to women in Gujarat," he said.
Singhvi further said "it is utter hypocrisy that one BJP state (Rajasthan) eases her out and another (Gujarat) invites her" and accused Modi of indulging in a game of one-upmanship and fishing in troubled waters.
The 45-year-old Nasreen, who was moved out of Kolkata to Jaipur last week following violent protests, was then shifted to the national capital.
Kept at Rajasthan Bhawan since Friday night, the writer was late last night shifted by the central intelligence agencies to an undisclosed location.
Putting the onus of the Nasreen imbroglio on the state governments -- West Bengal and Rajasthan, Singhvi said "It is ultimately for the state government to maintain and ensure law and order."
He said it was the duty of the state government to ensure protection to any such person who has the legal right to stay in India.
Striking a balance on the issue, the Congress spokesman, however, said, "such a person is subject to conditionalities that he or she cannot hurt the religious feelings of any section of society."
Replying to BJP's allegations that the Centre moved Nasreen to Delhi without the knowledge of Rajasthan Government, "The BJP has proved its utter hypocrisy and doublespeak by not keeping Taslima in Rajasthan," he said.
The Central government does not believe in coercive steps or state-sponsored kidnapping."
He said Nasreen was in the country because of permission granted to her by the Central Government and she was free to go anywhere in the country, adding it was the responsibility of the state government to give her protection.
