New Delhi, Apr 8 (IANS): The Congress Sunday slammed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for criticising Rahul Gandhi's "beehive" remark and said that metaphors about unity of the country had not been comprehended by self-appointed jingoists.

"Amusing that metaphors denoting energy diligence cohesion and unity of purpose completely go over the heads of some self-appointed jingoists," Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said in a tweet.

In an apparent reference to Modi's remarks about Rahul Gandhi's speech at a CII conference, Tewari said that Bhramari was the goddess of the black honey bees, according to the Puranas.

In another post, Tewari hoped his earlier tweet "would enrich the understanding of those who politicise religion but have not found time to study India's spiritual traditions".

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla said that the Congress did not need lessons in patriotism from the BJP as none of its leader had fought for the freedom of the country.

He said Modi was trying to give lessons to members whose family had sacrificed their life for the country.

Modi Saturday took a dig at Rahul Gandhi at the BJP's foundation day function in Ahmedabad.

Without taking Rahul Gandhi's name, Modi said it pained him when he heard a Congress leader's speech calling India a "beehive" and that India was a "mother" for him.