New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI) After separatist Sikhs staged a pro-Khalistan rally in London yesterday, the Congress today questioned the silence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and the Akali Dal in Punjab over the issue.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also took a dig at the prime minister and his "56-inch chest", which he boasted of ahead of coming to power, while talking of strong action at the border with Pakistan.

"As a sinister conspiracy is hatched to revive militancy in Punjab, why are BJP-Akali Dal mum?

"Why has the 56-inch Modi government been stunned into a conspiratorial silence?," he asked on Twitter.

Referring to the London rally of separatists, he asked, "Are these activities not a conspiracy to divide the country into pieces? Then why the silence?"

Pro-Khalistani supporters yesterday assembled at Trafalgar Square in London in a rally organized by the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), intended to raise awareness for a non-binding referendum in 2020, calling for the Sikh-majority state of Punjab to be granted "independence".

Interestingly, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today said the "no-show" London rally by the SFJ for a separate state has exposed the "total lack of ground support" for the 'Referendum 2020' even outside India.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)