PATNA: Taking objection to Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik's alleged anti-Bihari remarks, the RJD today said it was an assault on the federal spirit of Indian polity.

"What the Goa minister has said is objectionable, unfortunate and an assault on the federal spirit and structure of Indian polity," Deputy leader of the RJD Parliamentary Party Devendra Prasad Yadav and Principal General Secretary Ram Kripal Yadav said in a joint statement.

While opposing the proposed introduction of a train between Patna and Panaji, Naik reportedly said that it would facilitate arrival of "beggars from Bihar".

"The people of Bihar are self-respecting and earn their bread through hard work....they are not beggars. The beggars in Goa are the natives of that state who the government has failed to rehabilitate," they said.

Stating that the coastal state's economy was dependant on tourism, the RJD leaders said "today, begging is not a problem in Goa but the incidents of rape and murder, the prevalent nudity and cultural degradation. Naik should better focus on these problems."

"The minister's statement made on the floor of the legislative assembly reflects his mental bankruptcy," the RJD leaders said, adding they would raise the issue during the next session of parliament.
Source : PTI