Clarify on meeting Pragya Thakur: Cong to Rajnath

The Congress onm Monday sought to counter Rajnath Singh's attack on Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde over his ‘Hindu terror’ remarks asking whether the Bharatiya Janata Party chief had not gone to meet terror accused Pragya Singh Thakur in jail.

"Rajnath Singh should say had he not gone to meet Pragya in jail. Had L K Advani not given a statement in favour of her and her associates. They should tell what is their relationship to them," party spokesperson Rashid Alvi told reporters referring to the Malegaon blast accused.

He at the same time added that his party has already made it clear that the Congress does not believe in linking terror with any religion, community or colour.

"Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has clarified the statement. After the clarification by Shinde and the party, the matter should have been brought to an end. It is unfortunate that an issue is still being made out of this," Alvi said.

In a scathing attack on Shinde over his ‘Hindu terror’ remarks, the BJP president on Sunday said that the home minister had hurt India's image by his comments and dared him to ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the BJP and arrest all their leaders if there was any evidence against these organisations.

The Congress spokesperson also attacked former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari for his remarks against IT officials saying that it was ‘inappropriate and very unfortunate’ and such statements do not behove any political party or its leader.

Asked about the incident of communal violence in Dhule in Maharashtra in which policemen have been shown engaged in arson, Alvi said that it was a ‘sensitive matter’ and ‘action will be taken against the responsbile cops to which ever rank they belong’.