Click to play videoNew Delhi: Minister for Minority Affairs AR Antulay has stirred up a storm by questioning the nature of ATS Chief Hemant Karkare's killing from the bullets of the Laskhar terrorists in the November 26 terror attack in Mumbai.
Many say he has said aloud what many in the Muslim community are thinking, but is he also stifling Muslim liberals.
Hemant Karkare was the face of a genuinely impartial investigation into terror for the Indian minority.
After his death, a section of the Muslims felt the likes of Swami Dayanand Pandey will not be brought to justice.
Antulay is trying to tap those sentiments.
Meanwhile, feeling the heat four months before the general elections, his party, the Congress is in great discomfort.
Congress spokesman Shakil Ahmed said, “The media has misinterpreted Antulay's statement.”
Antulay may have created a major problem for the government which is trying to take a tough diplomatic stand against Pakistan. However, he has raised an issue which appeals to the Muslim sensibilities.
Convener of Babri Masjid Movement Coordination Committee (BMMCC) Syed Shahabuddin said, “Mr Antulay had acted in national interest. Whether he acted politically wisely or not I do not know. I say national interest because Karkare was an officer who had unveiled for the first time the hidden face of Hindutva terrorism.”
Not that Antulay's logic in bringing saffron terror to the fore has many takers among the liberal Muslim voices which are growing in volume ever since the Mumbai siege.
Writer Javed Akhtar said, “Making this kind of statement at this point of time is extremely irresponsible. The least the government can do is accept his resignation.”
Antulay's remark has also given the BJP an opportunity to ridicule the government and make a mockery of its attempts at trying to build a strong anti-terror mechanism.
BJP spokesman in Parliament, Shahnawaz Hussain said, “We don't want Antulay to remind us that he is a Muslim. His statement is neither good for the Hindus nor the Muslims. It is against the nation.”
However, this is could be the last ditch attempt by a politician trying to remain relevant.
Antulay has launched his Karkare campaign at a time when there was a sense of unity not just in Parliament but also on the streets of Mumbai.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
 |
 |
 |
|
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
