Annapurna Jha | New Delhi
Upset over party general secretary Digvijay Singh’s criticism of the US for giving Al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden a burial at sea, the Congress has distanced itself from his controversial comment. Digvijay met Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the evening and reportedly explained his position over the issue.
Criticising AICC incharge of Uttar Pradesh for “unnecessarily shooting his mouth on such sensitive issues,” a senior Congress leader on condition of anonymity said that the comment reflected a “communal approach” meant to placate his “minority constituency.”
“Osama was not a pious person and was not working for the welfare of people. So the principle of religious rites to be followed for his burial does not arise,” he pointed out and advised all leaders to show restrain while commenting on such sensitive issues.
Even Muslim leaders, except one or two, have not raised objection to the burial at sea given to Osama, he pointed out and said that Osama was not a representative of entire Muslim community. If anyone should raise question then it should be about how a foreign country can launch an operation in another sovereign country.
Party spokesman Manish Tewari parried questions on whether Digvijay’s remark was the official view of the party on Osama’s burial. “If you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind,” he quipped when asked persistently indicating that the Congress was not comfortable with Digvijay’s view that religious rights of terrorists should be respected.
However, Digvijay said he stands by his comment. Asserting that there was no difference between his views and the party’s position, he denied that he has been left alone on the issue.
Denying that Sonia had summoned him to give explanation, Digvijay claimed that meeting with party president was attended by other leaders like Health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Political Secretary to the Congress president Ahmad Patel.
Defending his comment, Digvijay said, “I had just said that even the worst of criminal deserves to be given burial according to his religious faith.” He blamed media for creating unnecessary controversy and pointed out that in his Monday’s comment he had not taken the name of Osama.
Meanwhile, Tewari reiterated party’s Monday statement that Osama’s neutralization underscores the point which India has been making for long that Pakistan has become the sanctuary of terrorists of various shapes and elements within the neighbouring country are using terror as an instrument of state policy. It had called for globally coordinating the fight against terrorism and all resources need to be directed towards ensuring that those perpetrating these acts are brought to justice.
Upset over party general secretary Digvijay Singh’s criticism of the US for giving Al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden a burial at sea, the Congress has distanced itself from his controversial comment. Digvijay met Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the evening and reportedly explained his position over the issue.
Criticising AICC incharge of Uttar Pradesh for “unnecessarily shooting his mouth on such sensitive issues,” a senior Congress leader on condition of anonymity said that the comment reflected a “communal approach” meant to placate his “minority constituency.”
“Osama was not a pious person and was not working for the welfare of people. So the principle of religious rites to be followed for his burial does not arise,” he pointed out and advised all leaders to show restrain while commenting on such sensitive issues.
Even Muslim leaders, except one or two, have not raised objection to the burial at sea given to Osama, he pointed out and said that Osama was not a representative of entire Muslim community. If anyone should raise question then it should be about how a foreign country can launch an operation in another sovereign country.
Party spokesman Manish Tewari parried questions on whether Digvijay’s remark was the official view of the party on Osama’s burial. “If you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind,” he quipped when asked persistently indicating that the Congress was not comfortable with Digvijay’s view that religious rights of terrorists should be respected.
However, Digvijay said he stands by his comment. Asserting that there was no difference between his views and the party’s position, he denied that he has been left alone on the issue.
Denying that Sonia had summoned him to give explanation, Digvijay claimed that meeting with party president was attended by other leaders like Health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Political Secretary to the Congress president Ahmad Patel.
Defending his comment, Digvijay said, “I had just said that even the worst of criminal deserves to be given burial according to his religious faith.” He blamed media for creating unnecessary controversy and pointed out that in his Monday’s comment he had not taken the name of Osama.
Meanwhile, Tewari reiterated party’s Monday statement that Osama’s neutralization underscores the point which India has been making for long that Pakistan has become the sanctuary of terrorists of various shapes and elements within the neighbouring country are using terror as an instrument of state policy. It had called for globally coordinating the fight against terrorism and all resources need to be directed towards ensuring that those perpetrating these acts are brought to justice.
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