NEW DELHI: Congress leader Udit Raj on Friday stirred a row by calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi “symbol of modern Ravana” and said that “the day to burn Delhi’s Ravana is near.” Speaking on PM Modi‘s leadership and governance, Udit Raj said, “Sanjay Raut has said that the Ravana of Delhi must be burned, and the day to burn Delhi’s Ravana is near. PM Modi cannot continue for long, and soon there will be fire in his Lanka.” He added, “PM Modi is a symbol of modern Ravana, and the way he is building his golden palace, once he enters it, he will see the same golden palace burn.”The remarks have drawn criticism, including from BJP leader Shehzad Poonawala, who said Udit Raj’s statements crossed a line.“Yesterday, Congress MLA from Telangana abused Prabhu Ram and PM Modi. Today Udit Raj crosses the line,” he said, in a post on X. “Muhabbat Ki Dukaan or nafrat ke bhaijaan?” he added.BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also condemned the comments, blaming opposition leader Rahul Gandhi for “giving instructions” to Udit Raj.In a post on X, Bhandari said, “Rahul Gandhi has given a clear instruction to Udit Raj: Get up every morning and abuse India, speak Ill against PM Modi. This morning Udit Raj gets up hoping that – PM House will be burn and does Ravan analogy.” “Rahul Gandhi is sinister!,” he added.Udit Raj also commented on India hosting a Taliban minister next week, and said that this challenges India’s foreign relations. “They make a lot of publicity. Whenever PM Modi tries to show that they are succeeding, they always fail. Like in the case of China, they show that they are having good relations. Similarly, with the US, they showed that they have good relations, but it’s quite the opposite. Afghanistan is our neighbouring country. Let’s see what happens.”On international affairs, Udit Raj addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin and the US tariffs, stating, “Honestly, no country is standing with India. Somewhere or other it is our mistake. Vladimir Putin will obviously talk in favour of India, with their own motive, as no country is buying Russian oil.”The Congress leader also downplayed internal party reports of conflict regarding Karnataka deputy chief minister D.K. Shivakumar. He said, “There is no conflict going on. This happens in every party. Some praise their close ones, others do the same. So, if a few good words were spoken about Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, does that really mean there is conflict?”