Sushil Modi threatens to file defamation case against Rahul Gandhi over Modi 'surname' dig

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi on Tuesday said that he will file a defamation case against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his "all thieves have Modi in their surnames" remark. Accusing the Congress president of hurting the sentiments of crores of people with Modi surname, the BJP ledaer asked whether having the Modi surname was a crime.

"I will file a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi in a Patna court. Is it a crime to have 'Modi' surname? He has referred to crores of people as 'chor' and hurt their sentiments," news agency ANI quoted the Bihar deputy chief minister as saying.

Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi on Rahul Gandhi's statement 'All thieves have Modi in their surnames': I will file a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi in a Patna court. Is it a crime to have 'Modi' surname? He has referred to crores of people as 'chor' and hurt their sentiments. pic.twitter.com/ijc7io38MK

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2019

Refering to fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi, former IPL chairman Lalit Modi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi had on Monday said that all the thieves have a common surname.

"...Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi...how come they all have Modi as common name. How come all the thieves have Modi as the common name?" Gandhi said addressing a rally in Maharashtra's Nanded Lok Sabha constituency.

The remarks of the Congress leader irked several BJP leaders who termed them "undignified" and an insult to a particular section of the society. "The statement of the Congress president is undignified and is also an insult to a particular section," said Rajasthan BJP chief Madan Lal Saini.