New Delhi, Jan. 30 -- Former Vice President Hamid Ansari fanned a new controversy by claiming Mahmud Ghazni, who repeatedly attacked and destroyed the ancient Somnath Temple in Gujarat in the eleventh century, was an Indian, with the BJP and Hindu outfit leaders slamming the Congress ecosystem for "eulogising Hindu haters."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the Somnath Swabhiman Parv on January 11, marking 1,000 years since the first attack on the temple in January 1026 and lauded the resilience of Indian civilisation that rebuilt the shrine ravaged repeatedly by foreign invaders.

Bharatiya Janata Party cornered Hamid Ansari and Congress over his remarks, slamming the former Vice President for his "affection" for foreign invaders whil...