Describing the United States' decision to deny Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi a visa to visit that country as an 'attack on the pride and self respect' of the country, the National Democratic Alliance on Sunday said people will not tolerate it at any cost.
Addressing the 'Bharat Swabhimaan Rally', organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Kankaria ground in Ahmedabad, speakers, including BJP president Lal Kishenchand Advani, NDA convenor George Fernandes, former Lok Sabha speaker Manohar Joshi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Babulal Gaur criticised the US decision.
Advani said the decision 'would only spur people of the country to unite to oppose the tendency of America'.
He said that things that may appear trifle at first have the propensity to 'blow out of proportion' and compared the incident with the salt satyagraha launched by Mahatma Gandhi against the Britishers, which had given an impetus to India's independent struggle.
"This issue may on the face of it appear trivial. But it reflects how America treats an Indian citizen, and therefore the people of this country will not take it lying down," he added.
The 'Swabhimaan rally' is the 'fallout of this insult', Advani added.
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