Senior Congress leader A K Antony has criticised the Modi government for not accommodating Rohingyas and cited the example of former prime minister Indira Gandhi who "insisted on protecting" refugees from Bangladesh.


The former defence minister yesterday accused the government of pushing out around 40,000 Rohingyas when they were seeking help and care.


"When more than one crore refugees came to India from Bangladesh in the 70s, former prime minister Indira Gandhi insisted on protecting them by disregarding the mighty seventh fleet of the US," he said. She mustered courage to wage a war and carved out a new nation for them, Antony said.


He was speaking at the launch of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ), Delhi. According to him, Indian pluralism and freedom of expression were under attack.  -- PTI


IMAGE: Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, the first President of independent Bangladesh, introduces then prime minister Indira Gandhi to members of his cabinet.