New Delhi, March 11 -- Amid controversial statements over 'Holi' and 'Jumma' (Friday prayers) by BJP leaders in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Shatrughan Sinha Tuesday said that it was a ploy to divert attention from pressing issues such as poverty and the unfulfilled promises made by the Government.

"Our Constitution teaches us that India is a secular nation. Everyone is equal here. The minorities are also our own. Everyone belonging to this nation is our brother and sister... It is our responsibility to protect them... All these issues are being raised to divert from the main issues like poverty, and the governments are not able to fulfil their promises," Sinha told ANI.

While Bihar BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur on ...