Congress has weakened India's stand on terrorism by coining the term 'Hindu terrorism': Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: Government and Opposition on Friday clashed in Lok Sabha, with Home Minister Rajnath Singh accusing Congress of weakening the fight against terror by coining the term “Hindu terrorism”, prompting the retort that he was indulging in politics over the issue. Singh, after making a statement on Gurdaspur attack, said the previous UPA government had coined the term to change the course of probe into the incidents of terrorism. Amid uproar, he attacked the Opposition for making it appear that Parliament is divided on terrorism as he made the statement in the Lower House a day after his speech on the attack was disrupted in Rajya Sabha. In the statement, the same as made in Rajya Sabha, he gave details of the 27 July attack and how the three terrorists had infiltrated from Pakistan via Punjab border to carry out the strike. His statement was heard in rapt attention with Congress members suspending their protests and returning to their seats from the Well after the Leader of the party Mallikarjun Kharge asked him to do so. But as soon as he concluded his statement, Congress members again stormed the Well and it was a scene of protests and disruptions in the House as seen from day one of the Monsoon session over the Lalit Modi and Vyapam issues. [caption id=“attachment_2374330” align=“alignleft” width=“380” class=" “]  Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. PTI[/caption] Singh then raked up a host of issues, including ‘Hindu terrorism’ coined by previous UPA government, Sharm-el Sheikh fiasco and statements at Havana NAM Summit besides the 1962 war with China, to underline Congress’ alleged failures. “Terrorism is the biggest challenge facing the country. Neither Parliament nor the country should appear divided on this… On the one hand, our jawans are making the supreme sacrifice while fighting against terror, on the other we have this noise and disruption. How can the country accept this,” he said. “In this House in 2013, the then Home Minister (P Chidambaram) had coined the new terminology ‘Hindu terrorism’ in order to change the course of probe. Because of this, we have not been able to fight terrorism as strongly as we should be… As a consequence of coining the new term of ‘Hindu terrorism’, Hafiz Sayeed (LeT founder) of Pakistan had congratulated the then Home Minister. Our government will never allow such a shameful situation again.” The Home Minister asserted that terrorism has no religion, colour or caste and “We all must discuss terrorism with all the seriousness” without being divided. He recited a Hindi poem to target the foreign policy of previous Congress governments’, saying “China snatched India’s rose, Tashkant saw death of Lal Bahadur Shastri and India lost at diplomatic table after winning the war due to its compromises.” Expressing readiness to answer any question on the issue if proper notice is given for a discussion, Singh said, “Our government and the Prime Minister are constantly making efforts to deal with the challenge.” Livid Congress members wanted to react but were not allowed by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, prompting angry protests by the opposition lawmakers, many of whom were seen waving the rule book to make their point. “This is very unfortunate. You are losing our respect,” Kharge was heard remarking amid the din. Opposition members crowded around her table to draw her attention that she should allow Kharge to speak but in vain. Despite demands from opposition for having its say, the Speaker moved on to another subject, asking members to make their submissions on issues to be included in next week’s agenda. Later, she also asked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to present a statement on supplementary demands for grants in respect of budget 2015-16. As Opposition members were heard protesting against the way the House was being conducted, Speaker adjourned the House till 1400 hours. When the House re-assembled, Kharge hit back at the Home Minister, charging him with dividing Parliament by “doing politics” over terrorism and asserted that his party will not tolerate it. He urged Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai to expunge Singh’s comments which he had made after his statement on the Gurdaspur attack. The demand was turned down by the Chair. “We all welcomed, clapped (over Singh’s statement)…because the country is one and there is no compromise on terrorism and unity and integrity of the country,” Kharge said, refuting Singh’s charge that the Congress was making it appear that Parliament was divided on terrorism. He then went on to attack Singh over his suo motu comments. “Just to divide this House and to blame the Congress, he said what China did… Was it necessary? He did it just to defame the previous governments. This is not a political statement. You are doing politics. We won’t tolerate that. It should be expunged,” the Congress leader said. Kharge was supported by Saugata Roy (TMC) who wondered why Singh “went into a rampaging speech” after the entire House listened to him in rapt attention on the terror strike. Singh was not present at that time. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the Home Minister only went into details of the matter and pointed out the “flawed policies in the past”. Turning down the opposition demand that Singh’s remarks made after his statement on Gurdaspur attack be expunged, the Deputy Speaker said the Speaker had presided over the House when Singh had spoken and later cited past precedents to make his point. Rudy said the government was ready for a discussion on terrorism and the opposition should follow the due process to initiate a debate. PTI