Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Parliament that the release of separatist leader Masarat Alam in Jammu and Kashmir was unacceptable and done without the central government's consent.
"I assure the country that the Centre will not accept anything that challenges the country's unity," Prime Minister Modi said in the Lok Sabha.
"This outrage is not just one party's. This outrage is felt by the entire country," Mr. Modi added.
Earlier, the opposition had created a furore in parliament over the decision taken by the BJP's ally in Kashmir.
Speaking before the Prime Minister, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the government had asked for a full report on the matter from the J&K government's home department which has already been submitted.
Mr Singh said that Alam had been arrested for his involvement in the unrest in 2010 and had been arrested in connection with 27 cases that included murder and conspiracy.
"The home department has said that in all the 27 cases against him, Alam has received bail," Mr. Singh said.
Mr.Singh said that Alam had been detained 10 times under the Public Safety Act and said that under the legislation a person could be detained only for two years as interpreted by the high court.
"We are not fully satisfied and have sought clarifications. I would like to reassure the house that we have taken the matter very seriously and if needed we will issue a strong clarification," the Home Minister said.
Earlier, the leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge questioned why 'anti-nationals' like Alam were being released and also questioned why the Prime Minister had made no statement on the matter or Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's statement on elections being permitted in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said it was a serious issue and the government would ask the Home Minister to make a statement.
“The issue is a very serious issue and concerning the entire country and not just the government. I will request the home minister to make a statement on this. The Centre has nothing to do with this,” he said.
Opposition MPs however demanded that the PM should appear to give a statement shouting “Pradhan Mantri jawab do (Prime Minister should answer)”. The Lok Sabha was adjourned for half an hour even as the speaker tried to conduct question hour. After resuming, Mr Naidu said the PM would be present in the house while the Home Minister gave his statement and would intervene if necessary.
