Terrorists have to be tackled firmly: Jaitley

Stepping on its nationalist agenda, the BJP on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress for “disrespecting” and “insulting” the Indian Army.

The BJP claimed the Congress leaders’ comments had drawn support from terror group Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and would make Pakistan happy. It said Mr Gandhi and his mother, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, “owned an explanation to the nation”.

In an article on his Facebook page, Union minister Arun Jaitley replied to the allegation that the BJP will implement a “muscular policy” in Kashmir after its breakup with the PDP, saying “terrorists have to be dealt with firmly to protect human rights of ordinary citizens”.

“At times we get caught in the idioms that we create. One such phrase is ‘muscular policy in Kashmir’. To deal with a killer is also a law and order issue. It can’t wait a political solution... A fidayeen is willing to die. He is also willing to kill. Should he be dealt with by offering satyagraha before him? When he advances to kill, should the security forces that confront him ask him to sit on a table and have a dialogue with them?” Mr Jaitley wrote. He said every Indian is concerned as to who can hold the country together, and added that an elected government, a dialogue with the people, a humane approach towards the average Kashmiri is the ultimate object of the Indian State, with which few can disagree.

The senior BJP leader said the Congress’ commitment to the country had undergone a sea change since Mr Gandhi had taken charge.

THE SENIOR BJP leader said the Congress’ commitment to the country had undergone a sea change since Mr Gandhi had taken charge.