The Hindu : National : Congress, NCP encouraged MNS activity: BJP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 30, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Congress, NCP encouraged MNS activity: BJP

Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI: Caught between the utterances of the Shiv Sena, its oldest ally, and its association with sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, accused in the Malegaon terror attack, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday defended itself by saying it was against all forms of violence.

Party spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said it was the Congress, which, along with its ally the Nationalist Congress Party, had “encouraged” the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Raj Thackeray’s political outfit, to attack north Indians in Maharashtra, and Mumbai specifically.

On several persons associated with the BJP or the larger Sangh Parivar being caught on allegations of involvement in terror attacks, Mr. Prasad said all those found guilty must be prosecuted according to the law. Such persons had no religion and the party could not be held accountable. “We [in the BJP] do not believe in violence. A professional and fair investigation against all those involved must take place. Terrorists have no faith or religion.”

At the same time, Mr. Prasad attacked the Congress for its “hypocrisy,” accusing it of having harboured and encouraged terrorism in the past when it supported Sant Bhindranwale.

He accused the media of talking about “Hindu terrorism” and “saffron terrorism” when such phrases ought to be avoided. “We [in the BJP] never talked about Muslim or Islamic terrorism. We did refer to ‘jihadi’ terrorism.”

When it was pointed out that not only the MNS but also Shiv Sena leaders like Uddhav Thackeray had virtually supported the attacks on north Indians by saying this situation would not have arisen had more jobs been created in Bihar, Mr. Prasad said he did not know what Mr. Uddhav Thackeray had said or what the Sena mouthpiece, Saamna, had said.

Congress condemnation

Special Correspondent writes from New Delhi:

Strongly condemning attacks in Maharashtra on people from different States, the Congress warned it would not remain a “silent spectator” to any attempts at regional chauvinism that will destroy unity and brotherhood among all citizens.

Core values

Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan said the party played a prominent role in the freedom movement and would not tolerate any attack on its unity and integrity. “The INC, which always played a prominent role in unifying the country, will remain true to its core values of united India,” she said.

The party, she said, urged the Maharashtra government to take stern action against any culprit guilty of violence in the name of regional chauvinism.

Ms. Natarajan said this went against the basic and fundamental principle. “We will ensure that unity of the country and safety of all citizens are protected.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National