Khurshid backs Sushil Shinde, Cong says terror has no colour
23 Jan 2013 7:10 AM IST
Coming out in support of home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde’s remarks on ‘Hindu terrorism’, external affairs minister Salman Khurshid on Monday said it was based ‘entirely on facts’ which were given by investigative agencies.’
However, Khurshid added that terror has no religion and colour. ‘Let me just say this to you very clearly that our stated position, that is shared fully by the home minister, is based entirely on facts which investigative agencies made available to the government,’ said Khurshid. When asked about Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed trying to exploit Shinde’s statement, he said, ‘There are elements who want to use some cover of pretence and some cover of allegation against other groups to continue with their nefarious and unwholesome activities.’
Congress, meanwhile, distanced itself from this controversy as party general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said: ‘Terrorism should not be linked with any religion. Congress does not see any connect between terrorism and any religion. The party has earlier also made it clear that terror has no religion or colour. Congress never uses word like saffron terror or Hindu terror.’
About the usage of word ‘Hindu terrorism’, Dwivedi said ‘that must not have been the intention of Shinde.’
He also added, ‘How can we have an objection to the saffron colour. Kesaria has been part of old tradition of a large part of the country. Saffron is also one of the colours of our national flag as well as the flag of the Congress party.’
Meanwhile, the BJP kept the pressure up saying comments were ‘regrettable and highly condemnable.’ besides expressing shock over top UPA ministers’ repeated irresponsible utterances.
However, Khurshid added that terror has no religion and colour. ‘Let me just say this to you very clearly that our stated position, that is shared fully by the home minister, is based entirely on facts which investigative agencies made available to the government,’ said Khurshid. When asked about Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed trying to exploit Shinde’s statement, he said, ‘There are elements who want to use some cover of pretence and some cover of allegation against other groups to continue with their nefarious and unwholesome activities.’
Congress, meanwhile, distanced itself from this controversy as party general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said: ‘Terrorism should not be linked with any religion. Congress does not see any connect between terrorism and any religion. The party has earlier also made it clear that terror has no religion or colour. Congress never uses word like saffron terror or Hindu terror.’
About the usage of word ‘Hindu terrorism’, Dwivedi said ‘that must not have been the intention of Shinde.’
He also added, ‘How can we have an objection to the saffron colour. Kesaria has been part of old tradition of a large part of the country. Saffron is also one of the colours of our national flag as well as the flag of the Congress party.’
Meanwhile, the BJP kept the pressure up saying comments were ‘regrettable and highly condemnable.’ besides expressing shock over top UPA ministers’ repeated irresponsible utterances.
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