AKHILESH DRAWS FLAK FOR SAYING ‘NO MARTYR FROM GUJARAT’
LUCKNOW: SP president Akhilesh Yadav courted controversy when he said that while there were martyrs from states like Bihar, UP, Jharkhand, MP and south India, there were no martyrs from Gujarat. “Somebody’s head has been chopped off, bodies are being mutilated. No one is debating or discussing that. You didn’t tell which body parts were mutilated. We have seen martyrs from Bihar, UP, MP, Jharkhand and south Indian states. But why there are no martyrs from Gujarat?” he asked.
LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav courted controversy when he said that while there were martyrs from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and south India, there were no martyrs from Gujarat.
Coming on a day when the killing of a young army officer in Kashmir has led to grief and anger, Yadav's remarks have drawn sharp criticism from both the Congress and the BJP. When asked about soldiers being killed in Kashmir, the former CM, who was in Jhansi on Tuesday, told a news channel that nobody was questioning or had any answers to the incidents that were taking place now. "Somebody's head has been chopped off, bodies are being mutilated. No one is debating or discussing that. You didn't tell which body parts were mutilated. We have seen martyrs from Bihar, UP, MP, Jharkhand and south Indian states. But why there are no martyrs from Gujarat?" he asked.
He, however, hastened to add that there should be no politics over the death of soldiers. "But there is politics over Vande Mataram. Who defines these things now? They tell us we are not Hindus.We give our first 'roti' to cows before we eat. Why don't they realise this?" he said. Slamming him for his remarks, the BJP and the Congress said Akhilesh should know that soldiers belong to the nation and not to states. "We strongly condemn his statement. Apparently he (Akhilesh) is yet to come to term to the defeat he suffered in the assembly polls and is making such statements to vent his frustration," said BJP leader and UP Minister Shrikant Sharma.
Union minister of state MN Pandey described Akhilesh’s statement as ‘saddening’ and urged him to apologise.Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant said while making statements regarding the nation, one should keep in mind not to hurt the unity of the nation.
Congress leader KTS Tulsi said dividing the sacrifices of “our brave soldiers on parochial lines is completely wrong.” “This is a very negative comment. The army belongs to India. Punjab, Bengal,Gujarat doesn’t have its own army. The Indian Army is for maintaining the sovereignty and integrity of the country,” he said.
This is a very negative comment. The army belongs to India as its name suggests. Punjab, Bengal, Gujarat doesn’t have its own army. The Indian Army is for maintaining the sovereignty of the country. KTS TULSI, Congress leader