Malegaon blast accused and BJP’s Bhopal Lok Sabha seatcandidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur has claimed police officer Hemant Karkaredied during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as she “cursed” him fortorturing her.
She apologised for the controversial remarks, but the BJPdistanced itself, describing them as “personal”, while the late IPSofficer’s colleagues berated her for insulting him.
“I felt that the enemies of the country were beingbenefited from it (my remarks), so I take back my statement and apologise forit. It was my personal pain,” an aide quoted her as saying.
She tendered the apology for her”emotionally-charged” remarks, at a public meeting in Berasia area,45 km from the district headquarters,” her aide Upma Singh said. “Pragyaji said if her remarks have hurt someone, she was sorry for it,” he toldPTI.
The Congress said Prime Minister Narendra Modi mustapologise for Pragya Thakurs remarks on Karkare and take action against her.
Addressing BJP workers in Bhopal Thursday night, Pragya hadalso claimed that Karkare had “made up his mind” not to release herfrom custody.
“Hemant Karkare was called by the (blast) probe panelmember to Mumbai. I was then in a Mumbai jail. The commission member told himthat if he didn’t have any proof against me, he should not unlawfully hold mein jail,” she said.
“But he (Karkare) said he will do anything to bring theproof…Will do anything…Will create it, bring it from here and there, butwill not release Sadhvi,” she said.
Karkare was killed along with two other senior policeofficers while fighting terrorists during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai inNovember 2008.
The BJP on Wednesday fielded Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur fromBhopal seat, where she is set to have a direct contest with Congressheavyweight and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh.
“This was his (Karkare’s) cunningness. It was treason.It was against religion. He used to ask all kinds of questions…Why did ithappen? Why did that happen? I said, I don’t know, God knows. So he askedwhether he has to approach God to know all this. I told him, definitely if youwant it, you must go. It will be difficult for you to believe it and it willtake time. I told him he will be destroyed,” she said.
“He tortured me and subjected me to harsh abuse whichwas unbearable. I told him he will be destroyed. A little over a month later’sutak’ (ritual observed after death of a family member) was going tostart…Just over a month later, he was shot dead by terrorists and the inauspiciousperiod ended,” she said.
The IPS Association condemned the remarks against the latepolice officer.
“Ashok Chakra awardee late Sri Hemant Karkare, IPS madethe supreme sacrifice fighting terrorists. Those of us in uniform condemn theinsulting statement made by a candidate and demand that sacrifices of all ourmartyrs be respected,” the association tweeted.
The BJP distanced itself from the controversial commentsaying it was her personal view which she might have made “due to years ofphysical and mental torture”.
“BJP considers him a martyr. This is Sadhvi Pragya’spersonal statement which she might have given because of the mental &physical torture she had faced,” the party said.
The Congress demanded that Modi apologise to the country andtake action against the BJP’s Bhopal nominee for the remarks.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said theremarks were an insult to every soldier who has sacrificed his life for thecountry while fighting terrorism.
Reacting to Pragya’s statement, Digvijay Singh said,”Hemant Karkare was a dedicated officer. He laid down his life for thecountry and we should be proud of him. No one should comment on it.”
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi slammed Pragya for herremarks.
“Hemant Karkare died fighting people not very differentfrom yourself. He didnt die because a terror accused felt bad & cursed him.The man died fighting to protect our rights to vote & elect a government.How DARE BJP insult our martyrs like this?” he tweeted.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hit out at Pragya forher “disgraceful” comments.
“Disgraceful comments by BJP’s Bhopal Lok Sabhacandidate Pragya Thakur on 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare ji need to be condemnedin strongest terms. BJP is showing its true colours & it must be shown it’splace now,” he tweeted.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Office sources said acomplaint has been received against Pragya Singh Thakur for her comments onKarkare. The matter is under enquiry, they said.Out on bail, Pragya (48) has been discharged bya court on charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised CrimeAct (MCOCA) in the 2008 case, but is still facing trial under other criminalprovisions, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.