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Tuesday, Jan 06, 2009
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BJP: Chidambaram’s statement objectionable

Neena Vyas

“Should we wait for the next attack?”
BJP points out “four cardinal sins of the UPA”

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday described as “objectionable” the statement made by Home Minister P. Chidambaram that Pakistan would have to pay a heavy price if it were to repeat anything like the Mumbai terrorist attack.

“Should we wait for the next terror attack so that Pakistan can be punished? Does that mean Pakistan would have no cost to pay for what happened on 26/11? We are disappointed with the Home Minister’s statement,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

The Opposition party felt that while immediately after 26/11 the government made some tough statements, there was now evidence of a softening of its stance in line with the United Progressive Alliance’s attitude over the last four years toward terrorism from Pakistan.

Mr. Javadekar said the UPA had committed “four cardinal sins” during its rule. In 2005, it omitted mentioning the January 6, 2004 statement in which Pakistan gave a formal undertaking of not allowing its soil to be used for launching terrorist attacks against India. The “second sin” was committed when Dr. Singh said Pakistan too was a victim of terrorism, thus equating India as a victim of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and Pakistan, a victim of terrorism by its own people.

The “third sin” was committed when the Prime Minister categorically stated terrorist attacks would not be allowed to derail the peace process with Pakistan. It was the signal assuring Pakistan that the composite dialogue would go on despite the gravest provocation. And finally, India and Pakistan set up a joint terror investigation mechanism to which the BJP had objected. It was clear to the BJP that “perpetrators of terror cannot be part of any investigation into terrorist acts,” Mr. Javadekar added.

The party’s view was that although India and Pakistan did not have an extradition treaty Pakistan was bound by the U.N. charter, the SAARC charter and bilateral agreements to cooperate in investigating the Mumbai terrorist attack and hand over those whose guilt has been prima facie established with proof.

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