Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar on Friday criticised Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gopal Shetty for claiming that Christians did not contribute to the freedom struggle.

Gopal Shetty, BJP MP from Mumbai North, stoked a controversy recently by stating that Christians did not contribute to the freedom struggle. Calling the Christians British, the MP said that Hindus and Muslims fought as one for the independence of the country.

Hitting back at Shetty, Pawar said, "The MP said that Christians did not contribute in the freedom struggle. He should be ashamed of himself for making such statement. Congress contributed a lot to the struggle for freedom and Annie Besant was a significant name in Congress."

Speaking at an event in Pune, Pawar said it appears as if 'some' people have got the unwritten right to attack others.

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Criticising the government over the incidences of attacks on minorities in the country, Pawar said, "When someone gets the power, it is his responsibility to maintain harmony and lead all sections towards development."

"In today's situation, there is an absence of such leadership. Today, we see that minorities are being attacked in the country. Some times Muslims are attacked while some times Christians are attacked. It appears as if some people have got the right to attack them," Pawar said.

Criticising the Uttar Pradesh Chief minister Yogi Adityanath for refusing to wear a cap at the mausoleum of Sant Kabir, Pawar said, "There are some people in power who feel ashamed to wear skull cap."