BJP condemns Pragya's praise for Nathuram Godse, asks her to apologise
New Delhi, May 16: The BJP on Thursday condemned its Bhopal Lok Sabha seat candidate Pragya Singh Thakur's praise for Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as "patriot" and asked her to tender a public apology.
"We completely disagree with her statement with regard to Mahatma Gandhi. We strongly condemn this statement. The party will seek clarification from her as to why she gave this. It would be proper for her to seek and tender a public apology for her objectionable statement," BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said in a statement.
But she stopped short of an apology, despite BJP leaders calling for one.
"It was my personal opinion. My intention was not to hurt anyone's sentiments. If I've hurt anyone I do apologise. What Gandhi Ji has done for the country cannot be forgotten. My statement has been twisted by the media," she told news agency ANI.
Thakur, an accused in the Malegaon blast case, ignited a fresh controversy Thursday by claiming that Godse "is and will remain a patriot".
Talking to a news channel in Madhya Pradesh, she said, "Nathuram Godse was a deshbhakt (patriot), he is and will remain a deshbhakt. Those calling him a terrorist should instead look at themselves. They will be given a befitting reply in this election."
Thakur said this in response to a question over actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan's remarks that free India's first extremist was a Hindu, a reference to Godse.
This is not the first time her extreme views have embarrassed the BJP after it fielded her from Bhopal against Congress leader Digvijay Singh, projecting her as a "victim" of the UPA government's "fake Hindu terror" theory.
She was earlier forced to apologise after claiming that IPS officer Hemant Karkare, who was killed by terrorists during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, died as she had cursed him after her arrest in Malegaon blast case.
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BJP insulting Sanatan traditions: Akhilesh on 'restrictions' for Avimukteshwaranand's Lucknow event
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over the conditions imposed for a programme led by Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in the state capital, accusing it of insulting Sanatan traditions.
The seer is scheduled to address a gathering in Lucknow later on Wednesday as part of his campaign seeking the status of "rashtra mata" (national mother) for the cow and a complete ban on cow slaughter across the country.
Local authorities have granted permission for the event titled 'Gau Pratishtha Dhwaj Sthapana, Dharm Yudh Shankhnaad Sabha' with approximately 26 conditions.
Reacting to the conditions, Yadav took to social media and mocked the restrictions, saying the government might as well specify "how many centimetres one can open their eyes and mouth."
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According to the organisers, the guidelines include restrictions on inflammatory speeches against any religion, caste, community or language, a ban on abusive remarks against political or religious figures, and directions that minors should not be asked to raise controversial slogans.
Other conditions require that no prohibited items be brought to the venue, except for traditional flags, private security arrangements are made, and that fire safety, traffic regulations, noise pollution norms, and environmental guidelines are observed. Organisers have also been asked to ensure that traffic is not disrupted and to cover the costs of police deployment and venue arrangements.
"Someone does not like something and therefore piles up conditions," Akhilesh said in the post, accusing the BJP government of insulting Sanatan traditions and imposing "illogical restrictions".
The former chief minister also questioned the reference to COVID-related protocols in the guidelines, asking, "Is COVID-19 still around? If so, the government should indicate in which of its own meetings or BJP events these rules were last adhered to," adding that such irrational restrictions indicate a weak government.
Responding to the remarks ahead of the programme, Avimukteshwaranand said one should not focus on the language used by political leaders but rather on the practicality of the conditions.
Taking a swipe at some of the conditions, the seer said that certain guidelines appeared 'unrealistic'.
"One could ask why people here are not following the COVID rules? Everyone should stand apart and speak from a distance. But since COVID is not present now, such rules are not required," he said.
"If COVID guidelines must be followed, why are they not being enforced at railway stations, airports, or in public spaces? Even the administration is not wearing masks. It seems they only want to silence us," and emphasised that guidelines should be practical to follow.
The seer reached Lucknow on Tuesday evening as part of his ongoing march for cow protection that began in Varanasi on March 6 and passed through several districts before arriving in the state capital.
Soon after his arrival, Samajwadi Party MLA Ravidas Mehrotra met him and expressed support for his campaign.
Speaking to PTI Videos after the meeting, Mehrotra said the seer had announced a "dharma yudh" (religious struggle) and that his party stood with him in what he called a fight for truth and justice.
"It is a matter of good fortune that the revered Shankaracharya has come to Lucknow and will stay here tonight. He represents Lord Shiva and is a centre of faith for crores of Hindus," he said.
Mehrotra said his party supported the demand to grant the cow the status of "rashtra mata", arguing that such recognition would ensure that cow slaughter stops.
"The demand is for an immediate stop to cow slaughter. We are prepared to make any sacrifices in this struggle," he said.
Additionally, he stated that if their demands are not met, the issue would be addressed politically in the future.
"If the government changes in 2027 under Akhilesh Yadav's leadership, the first cabinet meeting will decide to declare the cow as 'rashtra mata,' " he added.
