Sumitra Mahajan Stokes Row After Sadhvi Pragya, Says Hemant Karkare a Martyr But His Role as ATS Chief Questionable
While agreeing that Karkare should be revered as a martyr as he died combating terrorists during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, Mahajan said his role as the ATS chief could be condemned if found incorrect.
New Delhi, April 30: Days after BJP's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur stoked row with her controversial remarks against late former Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, senior party leader Sumitra Mahajan has followed suit. While speaking to a daily, the former Lok Sabha speaker said Karkare's role as a top cop remains questionable.
While agreeing that Karkare should be revered as a martyr as he died combating terrorists during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, Mahajan said his role as the ATS chief could be condemned if found incorrect. Sadhvi Pragya Apologises Over Controversial Remarks Against Karkare
"There are two aspects to Hemant Karkare. He became a martyr because he died in line of duty, but if his role as a police officer was not correct, we will say it was not correct," The Indian Express quoted her as saying.
Mahajan, who represents the Indore parliamentary seat, said Dilip Patidar akin to Sadhvi Pragya was picked up by the Maharashtra ATS from Indore in 2008 and "tortured". He later disappeared, said the BJP veteran, adding that the issue has been raised on various occasions by his party in the Parliament.
Karkare was heading the Maharashtra ATS when Sadhvi and Patidar, along with other Hindutva activists were detained following the Malegaon blasts.
While speaking to a Marathi news channel, Mahajan said that Karkare was a "friend" of former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh, who is now the Congress candidate from Bhopal.
Reacting to her claim, Digvijaya he is proud to be associated with a martyr. "Sumitra tai, I am proud that you associate me with Ashoka Chakra winner martyr Hemant Karkare. Your associates may insult him but I have always backed those talking about country’s interest, national unity and integrity."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 30, 2019 10:56 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).