KATJU SLAMMED FOR ‘TAKE BIHAR WITH KASHMIR’ OFFER
PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday slammed former Supreme Court judge Markanday Katju for “trying to become ‘Maai-Baap’ (guardian)” of the state, after his comments of offering Kashmir to Pakistan on condition that it should also take Bihar. “We offer you (Pakistan) Kashmir but you should take Bihar also,” Katju had said in his Facebook post. Later, he sought to backtrack and said he was only joking.
PATNA: Former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju’s recent comment apparently denigrating Bihar has triggered a controversy, with some political leaders on Tuesday terming it a fit case of sedition and calling for his arrest.
Katju posted a sarcastic post on social media on Sunday, suggesting that Pakistan could get Kashmir if it agrees to take Bihar also as part of a “package deal”.
Addressing Pakistanis, he wrote on Facebook, “You have to take the whole package, or none at all. Either you take both Kashmir and Bihar, or nothing.”
His comment drew attacks, prompting him to say he was only joking. “Do you think I will seriously ask Pakistan to take the offer? I joke about many communities. Do you think I will seriously offer Bihar with Kashmir to Pakistan? It was just a joke and people should develop a sense of humour.”
Bihar BJP chief spokesperson Vinod Narayan Jha demanded Katju’s “immediate arrest” on charges of “sedition”. Terming the comments as “serious”, he also demanded an inquiry to ascertain if Katju was “entrapped among anti-nationals out to destroy India’s sovereignty and integrity”.
Katju was lambasted on the social media with some people even suggesting Pakistan should take Katju instead of Bihar.