Bhopal, April 19: Madhya Pradesh Chief Election Officer on Friday received a Complaint against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate, Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, for her comments on 26/11 martyr and former Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad chief Hemant Karkare. Cognizance is taken and an inquiry into the matter is underway. Sadhvi Pragya Insults 26/11 Martyr Hemant Karkare, Says 'He Died Because He Was Cursed'.

Earlier today, Pragya Thakur, prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, said that Hemant Karkare, who died during the Mumbai terrorist attack, had treated her "very badly." She further said that he died of his "karma." Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur Breaks Down Recalling Her 'Torture' in Custody; Watch Video.

Tweet by ANI:

"Hemant Karkare falsely implicated me [in Malegaon blasts] and treated me very badly. I told him your entire dynasty will be erased. He died of his karma," Sadhvi Pragya said.

Watch Video:

Congress reaction on Sadhvi Pragya Thakur's Comment:

The Indian National Congress hit out at the BJP and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise for Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's remark on 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare. This is the anti-national face of BJP and action should be taken against Pragya Thakur, said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

IPS Association on Sadhvi Pragya Thakur's Comment:

IPS Association condemns Sadhvi Pragya’s comment. The body said that Hemant Karkare made the supreme sacrifice and sacrifices of all martyrs should be respected. "Ashok Chakra awardee late Sri Hemant Karkare, IPS made the supreme sacrifice fighting terrorists. Those of us in uniform condemn the insulting statement made by a candidate and demand that sacrifices of all our martyrs be respected," said IPS Association.

Meanwhile, the BJP has released a statement over the remarks made against late Hemant Karkare by BJP LS candidate for Bhopal, Pragya Thakur. The statement says, "BJP considers him a martyr. This is Sadhvi Pragya's personal statement which she might have given because of the mental & physical torture she had faced."

BJP statement:

Pragya Thakur, who is out on bail, has been fielded by BJP to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections from Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal. She is pitted against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh. Sadhvi Pragya will file her nominations paper on April 23, 2019.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 19, 2019 04:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).