New Delhi, Feb 22 (TIWN) Hailing the role of first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in shaping India a modern nation state, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday hit out at the Narendra Modi-led Central government, saying "nationalism" and the slogan of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' are being misused to construct a militant and purely emotional idea of India.

He lashed out at those opposing the NRC and CAA, asking whether they wanted the country to become a "Dharam Shala" (an open house).  He was addressing the 54th state conference of the RSS youth wing Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Pune, Maharashtra.  "Whether the sacrifice given by Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose will go waste? People have fought for freedom not because we have to count after 70 years who all are citizens. Whether we will make this country a Dharamshala?" asked Pradhan.  "We have to accept the challenges on this issue. We have to make this thought clear. In Bharat, it's mandatory to say 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', only such type of people will stay." he said.