New Delhi: BJP today alleged that the clean
chit to two suspected Indian accomplices of 26/11 convict
Ajmal Kasab and the delay in hanging Parliament attack culprit
Afzal Guru was fast giving India the reputation of being soft
on home-grown terrorists.
BJP`s reaction came amid media reports that the Delhi
government led by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was sitting
over a status report -- demanded by Ministry of Home Affairs
-- on a mercy petition filed by Afzal`s wife on his behalf.
"Is the Delhi government pro-terror or does it think
Afzal Guru was a tourist or a nationalist and feels he is not
guilty? If yes, then it should openly say so ... We want a
clarification from the Prime Minister on the manner in which
Afzal is being given relief," BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap
Rudy said.
It also sought a clarification from the Delhi government
on the issue. Reports in the media suggested that the Home
Ministry had sent the report to the Delhi government four
years ago but the latter had not taken any action despite two
reminders.
The main opposition maintained that the people were
closely watching this "appeasement politics" of the
Congress-led government.
Rudy alleged the action of the government in the whole
issue was becoming "questionable".
BJP also alleged that the Indian government was giving a
softer treatment to home-grown terrorists unlike Kasab who was
given a death sentence.
"After Ajmal Kasab`s conviction and with the prosecution
failing to provide evidence against his two Indian accomplices
Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin Ahmed, there is a world-wide
belief that Indian laws are different for those who are Indian
terrorists and those who come from outside," Rudy said.
BJP sought to paint Afzal`s case in a similar light.
Rudy alleged that there was a growing perception that
India did not want to punish home-grown terrorists and asked
the Prime Minister to come clear on the issue.
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PTI
