Congress condemns Thackeray call for 'Hindu suicide squads'

The Congress condemns Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's suggestion that "Hindu suicide squads" should be created.

The Congress on Wednesday condemned Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's suggestion that "Hindu suicide squads" should be created, saying it was "subversive, anti-national and prejudicial to the secular fabric of the nation".

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"The Congress strongly condemns the remarks said to have been made by Mr Bal Thackeray with regard to the formation of suicide squads. This is a clear call not only to lawlessness and violence but will be also the death knell for peaceful democracy," its spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan told reporters in New Delhi.

"We condemn this irresponsible remark and reject it with contempt," she said. In controversial remarks, Thackeray today advocated the creation of "Hindu suicide squads" to fight the scourge of "Islamic terrorism."

In a controversial editorial in the Sena's mouthpiece 'Saamna', Thackeray said "The threat of Islamic terror in India is rising. It is time to counter the same with Hindu terror. Hindu suicide squads should be readied to ensure existence of Hindu society and to protect the nation."

Natarajan also expressed concern over reports about BJP workers allegedly firing in the air during party celebrations in Madhya Pradesh.

"Such violence cannot be tolerated in a peaceful society and we call upon the Government of Madhya Pradesh to take action against the public display of illegal arms and violence," she said.