New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers of Delhi staged a protest over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks against the saffron party here on Wednesday.

The protesters assembled near Jaisalmer House and tried to move towards the Congress headquarters on Akbar Road, raising slogans against Gandhi and the Congress.

In his first speech as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi had launched a no-holds-barred attack on the BJP, accusing it of practising violence and spreading hate, drawing massive protests from the treasury benches, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Later the congress leader clarified that he was speaking about BJP. The BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or Modi are not the entire Hindu society, he added.

The Congress leader held up a picture of Lord Shiva and said his message is about fearlessness and non-violence. He also cited the teachings of other religions to make a similar point. "All religions and all our great men talk about non-violence and fearlessness, but those who call themselves Hindus only talk about violence, hatred and falsehood.... Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (You are not Hindus)," he said. Gandhi's dig at the BJP had the members of the treasury benches on their feet.

Home Minister Amit Shah sought Congress leader's apology for hurting the feelings of crores of people who take pride in identifying themselves as Hindus.

(with inputs from agencies)