Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday targeted the Gandhi family and the Congress, saying it isn't good for a healthy democracy if a political party is run by one family for many generations.

Addressing the Constitution Day event in Parliament, he said India is headed towards a crisis, which is a matter of huge concern for those having faith in the spirit of democracy, criticising the “dynastic” political parties.

“Party for the family, by the family... Do I need to say more? If a party is run by one family for many generations, then it isn't good for a healthy democracy... look at the political parties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Dynastic parties are a matter of great concern for those who want to protect the Constitution. India is headed towards a crisis,” Modi said.

“By dynastic politics, I don't mean that more than one member of a family can't enter politics. No... on the basis of potential, with people's blessings, people can join politics. But if a political party - generation after generation - is run by one family, it becomes a threat for democracy," the Prime Minister said in an apparent reference to the Gandhis and the Congress.

Modi said his government had faced protests in 2015 too when the Constitution Day was first celebrated. “’Why are you doing it? What's the need?' they had asked," he said, attacking the Opposition.

“The day was meant to offer respect to BR Ambedkar for what he did for the country,” the Prime Minister added.

He also said that the constitutional spirit is hurt when political parties lose their democratic character.

The event, which was organised as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate 75 years of India’s independence, was boycotted by the Opposition parties.

Modi said the function was not organised by the government, but by an institution.

 “The BJP is continuously attacking constitutional rights. We want to clarify that if the Opposition or its leaders are invited, then they should not only invite us to just sit and listen. The Constitution Day is not the day to attack the Opposition,” Congress leader Anand Sharma said.