Differences within the Congress on the use of the phrase ‘saffron terror' by Home Minister P. Chidambaram showed no signs of ending with senior leader Digvijay Singh saying he had objection to the words.
“I have objection to the use of caste, colour and religion to describe terror,” Mr. Singh told journalists here shortly after Mr. Chidambaram maintained that the phrase had brought home the message of right-wing terror and the purpose was served.
Mr. Singh, whom the media had earlier credited with using the phrase first in the Congress, said the word saffron symbolised valour and had religious connotations and that terrorism had no colour.
However, he used the word “Hindu fundamentalists” to describe right-wing terror. “Terrorism in the country arises from fundamentalists among the Hindus and the Muslims,” Mr. Singh said.
Targeting the BJP, he said the Opposition party should not hide behind the word ‘saffron' and should come clean on the activities of some of its affiliates allegedly having terror links.
