Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati on Friday praised Congress president Sonia Gandhi for inquiring about the health of Bahujan Samaj Party chief Kanshi Ram.

"Ever since Kanshi Ram has been admitted to hospital, no senior BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader has inquired about his health. Those claiming to be the champions of Hindu religion and culture should learn a lesson from Gandhi, whom they dub as a foreigner," Mayawati said in Delhi.

Appreciating Gandhi's "humanitarian" gesture, the BSP vice-president said the Congress chief, during her long years in India, had learnt about Indian culture and her telephone call on Wednesday to inquire about Kanshi Ram's health was a result of that learning.