Country passing through critical phase: Sonia

Launching a veiled attack at the Centre, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said the country is passing through a “critical phase” as those in power are “spreading hatred” by targeting secularism and underscored the need to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to fight it. Gandhi made the remarks in her written message to attendees of the ‘National Integration Conference’ organised by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind here. “As you know, the country is passing through a critical phase. Powers that be are spreading hatred across the country. Especially, secularism is being targeted. It is a matter of concern. In such a situation, it is important to bring together people forgetting their religion, caste, colour and race,” senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad quoted Gandhi as saying in the message.