Digvijaya, Yashwant at war over ‘Hindu terror’

A war of words erupted between Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh and BJP leader Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday over Singh’s statements on Hindu radical groups indulging in what Singh has termed “majority terrorism”.

A war of words erupted between Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh and BJP leader Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday over Singh’s statements on Hindu radical groups indulging in what Singh has termed “majority terrorism”.

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It all started with the BJP leader stating that Singh’s stand will damage the Congress and weaken India’s efforts to combat terrorism. Sinha also said that Singh would learn about the impact “when the people would react to his remarks”.

Singh retaliated, “If Sinha is so interested in Congress, he should join us.” He also clarified on remarks attributed to him at a book release function in Mumbai on Monday where he is reported to have said slain ATS chief Hemant Karkare was like God for Muslims. Singh on Tuesday said he meant Karkare was a saviour of Muslims.

The BJP on Monday attacked Singh and his party, asking, “Congress and Sonia Gandhi should reply whether Singh has been appointed Congress spokesperson for dividing the country,” BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said. The Congress went into damage control. Party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said, “Digvijaya Singh had used it like a proverb.”

‘Sentence to Binayak needs to be reviewed’

Digvijaya Singh also sought a review of the judgement sentencing rights activist Binayak Sen to life imprisonment on sedition charges.

“I feel that Sen is a very fine human being and because of this, the judgement against him needs to be reviewed,” he said.