Author: Times News Network
Publication: The Times of India
Date: November 1, 2008
Introduction: "If there's evidence to
prove that saffron groups are involved in terror, the police should come out
with it. Without enough evidence there's no reason to term Pragya Thakur a
terrorist," - Rajnath Singh
Taking a sharp turn from its tough stand against
"all terrorism", the BJP seems to be resisting calling Hindu radicals
arrested in connection with the Malegaon blasts "terrorists".
"Whoever is connected with cultural nationalism
and Bharatiyata cannot be a terrorist," party chief Rajnath Singh told
TOI, virtually defending Sadhvi Pragya, a key Malegaon suspect who was earlier
closely involved with party's student wing ABVP and its revivalist VHP.
Though the BJP is taking shelter behind the
technicality that investigations are yet to reveal "evidence", the
approach towards the Malegaon arrests contrasts sharply with the faith it
showed in the arrests of those involved in blasts linked to jehadi terrorists.
Singh, however, has also challenged investigating
agencies to come out with evidences that the sadhvi or other Hindu groups
have been behind terror acts whether at Malegaon in Maharashtra or in Modasa
in Gujarat.
"If there's evidence to prove that saffron
groups are involved in terror, the police should come out with it. Without
enough evidence there's no reason to term Pragya Thakur a terrorist,"
Singh said.
Singh termed as "hypotethitical"
the question on whether BJP will drop its objections if the investigation
agencies filed charges against Pragya Thakur. Yet, his doubts about reported
claims of the agencies came off clearly, with the BJP chief even saying they
would not have gone for brain mapping or narco test on the sadhvi if they
had evidence against her. In fact, he even spoke of the possibility that the
brain mapping and narco test, just like in the Aarushi case, may not yield
much.
Though he refused to criticise the agencies
for the arrests in Malegaon case, Singh spoke of a "political conspiracy
by the ruling party" being behind this case.
