Silchar, Dec. 7: The Congress today demanded the immediate arrest of Partha Maharaj, an office bearer of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, a non-profit Hindu organisation, for his remark against Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru here recently.

The members of the Silchar Congress today staged a protest in front of Gandhi Bhawan, demanding stern action against Maharaj.

Maharaj, while addressing a youth convention of Hindu Samhati here on December 2, allegedly said, "Gandhi was not a father, but an enemy of the nation." Maharaj also allegedly dubbed Nehru a "replica of Duryodhan"- a major character in the Mahabharat.

Silchar Congress president Partha Ranjan Chakraborty said Maharaj should be arrested for making derogatory remarks against the two great leaders. "Being a sanyasi, how could he make such a remark? This is completely unacceptable. Bharat Sevashram Sangha should throw him out of the organisation," he said.

Chakraborty said the statement had indicated that the organisation was being used for political gains.

Leader of Opposition in Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia filed a case in Dispur police station against Maharaj on Sunday. The leaders of the PCC held a demonstration in Guwahati, demanding action against Maharaj.

The Sangha has suspended Maharaj for six months.

Sangha chief secretary Swami Vishwathanandaji Maharaj, in a release, said they were completely unaware of Maharaj's alleged act. "We, on behalf of the Sangha, apologise for the derogatory remarks made by Partha Maharaj against Gandhi and Nehru." Swami Sadananadaji Maharaj of Silchar unit of the Sangha said a sanyasi should never make such comments. "We don't endorse his statement. The Sangha is not a political organisation. We are really ashamed of his act," he said. Partha Maharaj could not be contacted as his mobile phone was switched off.

Sources said he has been showcaused by the higher authorities of the Sangha in Calcutta and has been transferred to south India.

Silchar MP Sushmita Dev said it was very unfortunate that a sanyasi made such political comments.

Silchar MLA and Assam Assembly Deputy Speaker Dilip Kumar Paul said Maharaj might have failed to control his emotions after seeing the poor condition of Hindus in the country. "His language was not correct, but at the same time his statement was not a political one," he said.