Chidambaram should withdraw saffron terror remark: Rajnath
By IANSFriday, August 27, 2010
KOLKATA - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajnath Singh Friday demanded that union Home Minister P. Chidambaram withdraw his remarks on “saffron terrorism” and termed it as a “conspiracy” by the Congress-led UPA government to “demoralise nationalistic forces”.
“We condemn Chidambaram’s comment on saffron terror. Saffron is the colour of dedication and devotion. It’s a well thought out conspiracy of the Congress government to demoralise the nationalistic forces,” Singh said.
“A news is also afloat that efforts are being made to drag the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) into the matter,” the veteran leader alleged.
Averring that the home minister has committed a blunder, Singh said: “Terror has no caste, creed or religion. Moreover, those believing in Hindutva or Indian culture can never be terrorists.”
Asked whether he would seek an apology from Chidambaram, Singh said: “If he has said it unintentionally he should withdraw. Otherwise, this (apology) can be the second option”.
Denying that the BJP was a communal force, he said on the contrary the Congress was communal. “BJP never tries to polarise society on caste, creed and religion,” he said.
In his speech Wednesday at the meeting of state police chiefs, Chidambaram cautioned security and intelligence officials against the continuing attempts of militants to infiltrate into India as well as the recently uncovered phenomenon of “saffron terrorism”.
