The country could plunge into civil war if hatred over caste and religion is allowed to spread, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Wednesday, even as he made a fresh pitch for Rahul Gandhi to take over as the party chief in "challenging" times.
Addressing a press conference before the formal launch of the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' from Kanniyakumari, Mr. Gehlot also said there was a need to give the call for 'Bharat Jodo' as an atmosphere of hate and violence had been encouraged in the country for the first time since Independence.
"We have been requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi that you should appeal that there be love, brotherhood and harmony among people and violence will not be tolerated. He has not done so till now," he said.
