New Delhi, September 25: Hyderabad lawmaker Asaduddin Owaisi lashed out at US President Donald Trump, who on Tuesday referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "father of India". Owaisi said the tag is reserved for only one person - Mahatma Gandhi - who united the nation through his vision of compassion, pluralism and brotherhood. 'Modi and Donald Trump Were Holding Hands Like Lovers': Owaisi's Reaction to Howdy, Modi!

Calling the remarks made by Trump as absurd, Owaisi called him an "illiterate", adding that the US President is not well-versed about the history of India. "He has no knowledge either about India or Gandhi," he said. Modi is 'Father of India', Brought India Together, Says Trump (Watch Video)

Trump, while addressing the press after the bilateral meeting with PM Modi, had described Modi as a unifying force under whose leadership India has further integrated and consolidated as a nation.

"I remember India before, not intimately, but I remember India before, it was very torn, it was a lot fighting and he brought it all together. Like a father would bring it together. Maybe he is the father of India," the US President said.

Trump went on to compare Modi with the iconic singer Elvis Presley, claiming that both share the same skills of gathering a massive crowd and galvanising it.

"Elvis Presley, yes that is quite a good connection that Trump made. I've heard that Elvis Presley was quite good at attracting crowds by singing well. Our PM also gives good speeches for crowds. But comparing Modi ji with 'Father of the Nation' is absurdity on Trump's part," Owaisi said.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State in the PMO, Jitendra Singh said the criticism of Modi on being praised by Trump reflects the lack of patriotism among the critics. "If a foreign head of state has given his unbiased opinion about our Prime Minister, then we should appreciate it. I wonder how any Indian could have problem with it," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2019 03:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).