Shinde regrets ‘Hindu terror’ remarks; BJP welcomes stand
21 Feb 2013 1:52 AM GMT
Given the Opposition’s aggressive stand on Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde’s ‘Hindu terror’ remarks, the government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) actively engaged themselves in a detente to diffuse the crisis ahead of the budget session.
Later, on Wednesday evening, Shinde issued a statement expressing regret over his remarks and said that his statement created misunderstanding. ‘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 organisations of being involved in organising terror camps,’ Shinde said. He also said he had no intention of linking terrorism with any religion.
The BJP welcomed Shinde’s regret over his saffron terror remark and said it could have come earlier. ‘We accept the statement issued by home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. This will now clear the air and attention will go to most important issues now,’ said BJP Spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman.
It is learnt that Shinde had sent a draft of his clarification to the BJP which was discussed in the NDA meeting on Wednesday. NDA convenor Sharad Yadav said that Parliament will function smoothly now. Yadav, however, said they will take on the government on the VVIP chopper deal.
Shinde faced attack from the BJP on Wednesday as the party protested in the capital against his remark. ‘This comment of the Home Minister is part of a conspiracy to divide the nation for vote bank politics,’ said BJP president Rajnath Singh.
The smooth functioning of budget session is crucial for the UPA, as bills like national food security bill, land acquisition bill and a bill aimed at prevention and prohibition of sexual harassment of women at work place needs to passed.
Later, on Wednesday evening, Shinde issued a statement expressing regret over his remarks and said that his statement created misunderstanding. ‘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 organisations of being involved in organising terror camps,’ Shinde said. He also said he had no intention of linking terrorism with any religion.
The BJP welcomed Shinde’s regret over his saffron terror remark and said it could have come earlier. ‘We accept the statement issued by home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. This will now clear the air and attention will go to most important issues now,’ said BJP Spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman.
It is learnt that Shinde had sent a draft of his clarification to the BJP which was discussed in the NDA meeting on Wednesday. NDA convenor Sharad Yadav said that Parliament will function smoothly now. Yadav, however, said they will take on the government on the VVIP chopper deal.
Shinde faced attack from the BJP on Wednesday as the party protested in the capital against his remark. ‘This comment of the Home Minister is part of a conspiracy to divide the nation for vote bank politics,’ said BJP president Rajnath Singh.
The smooth functioning of budget session is crucial for the UPA, as bills like national food security bill, land acquisition bill and a bill aimed at prevention and prohibition of sexual harassment of women at work place needs to passed.
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