The Congress on Sunday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to concede the demands of the farmers instead of relying on hollow symbolism, which would not undo the “injustice” done by his government.

After Modi tweeted pictures of his visit to Gurdwara Rakab Ganj in Delhi to pay tribute to Guru Teg Bahadur on Sunday morning, the Congress pointed to the verse the priest was reciting from the Guru Granth Sahib that was heard in the background in videos of Modi speaking to officials at the gurdwara.

The message heard in the background was about the futility of religiosity unless the devotee changed his thinking and served mankind.

Party’s communications chief Randeep Surjewala posted that video along with this tweet: “Modi ji, pay heed to the essence of the message: ‘No matter how much religious matter how many texts a man reads, it is all a waste unless he thinks about the welfare of humanity…’ Wish the Prime Minister adopted the message from Guruwani instead of showing cruelty to farmers and using this visit to Gurudwara for mere photo opportunity.”

Party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also tweeted: “Modi ji, you can’t undo your mistake only by visiting Gurudwara. Farmers have been humiliated by calling them Khalistani, terrorists, agents of China and Pakistan, Naxals, Maoists. Their rights have been trampled by the new laws.

Atone for this sin. Shed arrogance and withdraw these laws. Don’t take the curses from farmers.”

Later at a news conference, another spokesperson Shama Mohamed said: “It is always a good thing to go to a gurdwara, go to a mandir. You know, we Indians are very spiritual people and I appreciate the Prime Minister’s going there. But there are these farmers who are protesting at the border. Thirty-three farmers have died due to extreme cold and ailments; you know it is very cold even sitting inside the house, we need heaters, now they are on the roads out there.”

She added: “Has anybody in the government expressed condolences for the death of 33 farmers? Why can’t the Prime Minister go there and console them? Where is the empathy? He can console the families; just imagine what is going through those families, their children; they are also there at the Delhi borders. Instead of just going to religious places, which we understand is a good thing, but, he must give justice to these farmers and repeal these black laws and re-enact new laws in consultation with farmers, opposition parties and other stakeholders.”

Criticising the callousness and insensitivity of the government she added: “I want to know why is our Prime Minister silent on so many deaths and the sufferings of lakhs of people in this cold? Why is home minister Amit Shah quiet? He can go to Bengal to campaign for election, which is far away in May, but not utter a word on the death
of 33 farmers. The All India Kisan Sabha is observing Shraddhanjali Divas today. But not a word from the government.”