PM Modi Uses Hockey Reference To Take Aim At Opposition

PM Modi's comments add to the bitter government-opposition standoff in parliament amid daily disruptions and protests.

As India celebrated a spectacular hockey win at the Olympics today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referenced the milestone to target the opposition, accusing it of shooting "self-goals" for political gains. "On one hand our country, our youth are accomplishing so much, scoring winning goals. Yet there are some people who, for their political motives are intent on self-goals. They have nothing to do with what the country wants, what the country is achieving and how the country is changing," PM Modi said at a virtual interaction. The Prime Minister was interacting with beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana in Uttar Pradesh, not long after the Indian men's team defeated Germany at the Olympics to score a bronze, ending a 41-year wait for a medal. PM Modi's comments add to the bitter government-opposition standoff in parliament amid daily disruptions and protests. Opposition parties have been protesting against the government over the Pegasus snooping allegations, fuel prices and farmer protests among other issues.