Raipur: The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BYJM) on Saturday burnt Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s effigy here to register their protest against his statement that Hindu extremists posed a “bigger threat” to the country than militant outfit the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT).

Condemning Rahul’s conversation with American ambassador Timothy Roemer, as revealed by a WikiLeaks cable, BYJM workers staged a demonstration near the Burha Talab.

Shouting anti-Rahul slogans, BYJM activist also took out a rally in the city.

Addressing party workers on the occasion, BJP leader and city corporation chairman Sanjay Srivastava dubbed Rahul Gandhi as an immature leader and said he should retire from politics.

Toeing the party line, BYJM district president Sanju Narayan Singh accused Rahul Gandhi of trying to divide the country by giving irresponsible statements.

He also alleged that Rahul was trying to gain political mileage by maligning Hinduism.

According to a secret US diplomatic cable from New Delhi released by WikiLeaks, at a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence in July 2009, Rahul was asked by Roemer about LeT's activities in the region and immediate threat to India.

"Gandhi said there was evidence of some support for the group among certain elements in India's indigenous Muslim community," the cable notes.

"However, Gandhi warned, the bigger threat may be the growth of radicalised Hindu groups, which create religious tensions and political confrontations with the Muslim community," it says.

(With agency inputs)