VSK TN
New Delhi February 21, 2013: Union home minister Sushilkumar
Shinde expressed regret over his “Hindu terror” remarks he made at
the Congress meeting in Jaipur in January this year.
Shinde expressed regret over his “Hindu terror” remarks he made at
the Congress meeting in Jaipur in January this year.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Shinde said, “My statement given in
Jaipur last month has created a misunderstanding. It has been understood to
mean that I was linking terrorism to a particular religion and was accusing
certain political organizations of being involved in organizing terror camps. I
had no intention to link terror to any religion. There is no basis for
suggesting that terror can be linked to organizations mentioned in my brief
speech in Jaipur. Since controversy has been created on account of my
statement, I am issuing this clarification and expressing regret to those who
felt hurt by my statement”
Jaipur last month has created a misunderstanding. It has been understood to
mean that I was linking terrorism to a particular religion and was accusing
certain political organizations of being involved in organizing terror camps. I
had no intention to link terror to any religion. There is no basis for
suggesting that terror can be linked to organizations mentioned in my brief
speech in Jaipur. Since controversy has been created on account of my
statement, I am issuing this clarification and expressing regret to those who
felt hurt by my statement”
However, RSS quickly reacted on
Shinde’s regret. Ram Madhav, top RSS functionary said on twitter. ‘Shinde
admitted his comments about RSS-BJP terror camps baseless. He shouldn’t have
taken a month for apology as his statement damaged nations reputation’.
Shinde’s regret. Ram Madhav, top RSS functionary said on twitter. ‘Shinde
admitted his comments about RSS-BJP terror camps baseless. He shouldn’t have
taken a month for apology as his statement damaged nations reputation’.
“Shinde’s Jaipur comments were derogatory
and defamatory. He merely regretted. He should have apologised. Also should
have condemned Pakistan terrorists poured venom
on India using his utterances. Also now, what will d Congress leaders
like Digvijay Sing and Mani Aiyer say? Will they also regret?” asked Ram
Madhav.
and defamatory. He merely regretted. He should have apologised. Also should
have condemned Pakistan terrorists poured venom
on India using his utterances. Also now, what will d Congress leaders
like Digvijay Sing and Mani Aiyer say? Will they also regret?” asked Ram
Madhav.
“Can we expect d hon’ Home Secretary
to again defend his boss (Shinde) as he did after Jaipur and state that
his statement was also not based on facts?” questioned Ram Madhav.
to again defend his boss (Shinde) as he did after Jaipur and state that
his statement was also not based on facts?” questioned Ram Madhav.
BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said ”We accept this regret
from the home minister but this ought to have come much earlier. Shinde’s
comment against the RSS and the BJP was totally unwarranted, baseless and
malicious. If Mr Shinde knew that what has spoken was incorrect he ought to
have accepted his mistake earlier graciously. We hope and trust that Shinde
will be cautious in his comments about nationalistic organisation like the BJP
and RSS in future and not repeat this again”
from the home minister but this ought to have come much earlier. Shinde’s
comment against the RSS and the BJP was totally unwarranted, baseless and
malicious. If Mr Shinde knew that what has spoken was incorrect he ought to
have accepted his mistake earlier graciously. We hope and trust that Shinde
will be cautious in his comments about nationalistic organisation like the BJP
and RSS in future and not repeat this again”
“I will continue to perform my duties to the best of my ability to
ensure that harmony is maintained in the social fabric of India,” Shinde added.
ensure that harmony is maintained in the social fabric of India,” Shinde added.
Earlier in January, Shinde had accused the BJP and
the RSS of fanning Hindu terrorism. He said, “Reports have come
during investigation that BJP and RSS conduct terror training camps
to spread terrorism. Bombs were planted in Samjhauta express, Mecca
Masjid and also a blast was carried out in Malegaon. We will have to think
about it seriously and will have to remain alert.”
the RSS of fanning Hindu terrorism. He said, “Reports have come
during investigation that BJP and RSS conduct terror training camps
to spread terrorism. Bombs were planted in Samjhauta express, Mecca
Masjid and also a blast was carried out in Malegaon. We will have to think
about it seriously and will have to remain alert.”
This created a furore with RSS and BJP terming the remarks as
“dangerous” and accused Congress of indulging in “destructive politics”. The
BJP called for the resignation of the home minister.
“dangerous” and accused Congress of indulging in “destructive politics”. The
BJP called for the resignation of the home minister.
The BJP also threatened to launch an agitation against Shinde and
boycott him in Parliament, which is convening on Thursday for the Budget
session.
boycott him in Parliament, which is convening on Thursday for the Budget
session.
According to sources, Shinde had conveyed to BJP’s Sushma Swaraj,
the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, that he will talk to her to
find a way out on the saffron terror issue to ensure smooth
functioning of Parliament.
the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, that he will talk to her to
find a way out on the saffron terror issue to ensure smooth
functioning of Parliament.
Shinde’s regret for his remarks is seen as a deal between the BJP and
Congress to allow smooth functioning of the Parliament during the Budget
session.
Congress to allow smooth functioning of the Parliament during the Budget
session.
(Inputs from TOI and HT)