New Delhi, November 26: Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks on Ayodhya case were "shameful" and "defamatory" towards the Supreme Court. The former union minister's retort comes a day after Modi blamed the Congress of pressurising judiciary to delay the hearing on Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid row.

While speaking to a TV channel, Sibal said the remarks of Modi reflect the lack of facts comprehended by him. Such comments suggest that the Indian judiciary could be pressurised by a party which is part of the Opposition, he added. Modi Accuses Congress of Adopting 'Delaying Tactics' in SC to Create Hurdles in Construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.

"You (the Prime Minister) are defaming the Supreme Court. Are you trying to say that the Supreme Court can come under any political pressure? This is shameful," Sibal told NDTV, adding that Modi's statement have defamed the apex court.

Sibal pointed out that the Congress is not linked to the litigation on Ayodhya land dispute, adding that he had appeared for one of the petitioners back in January 2018 under his personal capacity.

The petitioner, for whom he had appeared, had appealed the court to defer the hearings in Ayodhya land dispute case till May 2019 -- a demand which was then rejected by the apex court.

Modi, while addressing a rally in Rajasthan's Alwar on Sunday, said the Congress has created an "atmosphere of fear" for the judiciary.

"They tell the Supreme Court to delay the Ayodhya hearing due to the 2019 elections. They do everything possible to impeach the Chief Justice," Modi had said.

The Prime Minister had followed up his tirade on Twitter:

According to Sibal, attempts of pressurising the court is not being made by the Congress, but the ruling BJP via its ideological affiliates. Who is doing the scaring? What's the VHP (right-wing Vishwa Hindu Parishad) doing in Ayodhya? They are creating an atmosphere of fear," the Congress veteran said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 26, 2018 10:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).