Rahul Gandhi alleges ration card holders forced to buy national flag

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that ration card holders were being forced to buy the national flag by the shopkeepers, and accused the BJP of selling “nationalism” and hurting the poor’s self-respect.

In a Facebook post in Hindi, Gandhi said the tricolour is our pride and it resides in every Indian's heart.

Nationalism can never be sold. It is shameful that while giving rations, the poor are being asked to cough up Rs 20 for the tricolour.

Earlier in the day, BJP MP Varun Gandhi had also alleged that ration card holders were being forced to buy the national flag as a condition to avail the rations.

He said it will be unfortunate if the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of Independence become a burden on the poor.

He, in a tweet in Hindi, said it was "shameful" to force the poor to pay for the 'Tiranga' and deny them their food.