The IPS Association on Friday, 19 April, condemned Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur for her comments about IPS officer Hemant Karkare who died in an encounter with terrorists 26/11 attacks, saying that he had made the supreme sacrifice by fighting terrorists and demanded that sacrifices by martyrs be respected.
Earlier on Friday, Sadhvi Pragya, the Malegaon blast accused, said that Karkare was killed by terrorists because he had jailed her despite being innocent. She said she had cursed Karkare for allegedly framing her, and that was the reason which led to his killing by terrorists in the 2008 attack.
The Congress also slammed the BJP for their new inductee’s comments, saying, “BJP has committed the unforgiveable crime of designating 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare a traitor. BJP has proved that it is the face of traitors.”
Speaking at a press conference, party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that Sadhvi Pragya had insulted a person who had given up his life for the nation.
"The disgust, the demeaning thought and the words used by BJP leaders for the martyrs of the nation crossed all limits when Hemant Karkare was compared to Ravana and rakhshasa,” Surjewala said, hitting out at the party and Narendra Modi.
Surjewala also demanded that Modi apologise for Sadhvi Pragya's comments.
‘Guess Who is Anti-National’
Many others took to Twitter to express their disgust at Sadhvi Pragya’s comments, saying that they were proud of Karkare and ashamed of Sadhvi.
Surjewala also reacted on Twitter, saying that this was expected of an ‘Anti-National’ BJP.
“Glaringly anti-national even for BJP standards,” tweeted PDP president Mehbooba Mufti.
“BJP is showing its true colours & it must be shown it's place now,” tweeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
“Imagine if this was said by anyone else, the Bhakts would have gone on an overdrive.
Looks like BJP has found Yogi’s successor,” wrote Congress MLA from Chittapur.
Congress spokesperson and advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the people needed to teach BJP a lesson.
Activist and student leader Umar Khalid pointed out the need to remember Karkare in the midst of this.
Journalists Lash Out at Sadhvi Pragya and BJP
Many journalists also slammed Thakur and the BJP for her comments.
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