'Chowkidar chor hai' slogan insult to all watchmen': PM Modi targets Rahul Gandhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday hit back at Rahul Gandhi for his 'chowkidar chor hai' barb at him, saying the Congress president has insulted people working as guards and asserted that the word 'chowkidar' has now become synonymous with patriotism and honesty.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PTI Photo: File

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took swipes at Rahul Gandhi for his 'chowkidar chor hai' barb at him, saying it was a habit of "namdaars" abuse "kamdaars" and that saying the Congress president has insulted people working as guards. Modi was referring to Gandhi's repeated attacks on him over alleged corruption in the Rafale deal, with the slogan - "Chowkidar Chor Hai (watchman is a thief)". Known for his innovative political campaigns, Modi recently launched a "Main bhi chowkidar" (I too am watchman) drive on social media to turn the tables on the Congress. Addressing over 25 lakh watchmen through audio bridge medium on the eve of Holi, Modi said the whole country today is taking the pledge to become watchmen and 'chowkidar' has become synonymous with patriotism and honesty. "Chowkidars' are being talked about across the country, everyone is saying 'Main Bhi Chowkidar'," he said. Modi said his rivals lacked guts to name him and attack him directly, and instead resorted to targeting watchmen. "I want to apologise as some people in the last few months for their vested interests have run a disinformation campaign against 'chowkidaars'. It is unfortunate that language of these people has hurt you," Modi said. "Calling a chowkidar chor repeatedly is an insult to all chowkidars." Without naming Gandhi, he said "naamdaar" (dynasts) have a habit to spread hate against those who believe in work and they will continue to insult them even if somebody becomes a prime minister. The prime minister said maximum languages across the world have understood the word 'Chowkidaar', it seems as if they all have accepted it in their vocabulary. Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Modi last week tweeted a video with hashtag '#MainBhiChowkidar' (I am also a watchman) and called all those fighting corruption, dirt and social evils a 'watchman'. BJP leaders have added 'Chowkidar' before their names on Twitter.