Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hit out at the Congress on the issue of Article 370, saying parties like it can neither understand sentiments of people nor respect sacrifices made by brave soldiers.

Addressing a rally in Gohana in Sonipat, Haryana, his four thone for the October 21 polls, PM Modi while referring to abrogation of Article370, asked the gathering: "You know what happened on August 5? What no onecould have imagined. On August 5, India's Constitution in entirety became applicable in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.He said while his government took the decision in national interest, "but Congress and parties like them cannot understand the sentiments of people.""You can criticiseme as much as you can but at least give respect to Maa Bharat (India),"said PM Modi.

Gohana in Sonipat district is considered a stronghold offormer Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

However, both Mr Hooda and his son Deepender Singh Hoodalost the Lok Sabha polls from Sonipat and Rohtak parliamentary constituencies,respectively and PM Modi took a veiled dig at this.

"You broke arrogance of big leaders in Lok Sabhapolls," he told the gathering.

The prime minister also referred to Sonipat as land of"kisan, jawans and pehalwans" (farmers, soldiers and wrestlers).