Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam Tuesday alleged that cases of "mob lynching and love Jihad" have gone up under the watch of Narendra Modi government. Speaking during a panel discussion at 'Mumbai Manthan' organised by news channel Aaj Tak, Nirupam said the Congress didn't follow any "soft Hindutva" as being claimed by the BJP. Nirupam, BJP (Bhartiya Janata Party) spokesperson Sambit Patra and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Azmi held a discussion on 'Rule and Divide'--the role of religion in politics--at the event.

"The Congress is neither against religion nor temples. The Congress doesn't follow anything called 'soft' Hindutva as claimed by the BJP," the Mumbai Congress president said. "The cases of mob lynching (by cow vigilantes) and 'love jihad' have increased under Modi government, which shows how minorities are being treated in the country," he said.