BJP should apologise to whole country, not only Muslims: Salman Khurshid on Godhra riots

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Wednesday said BJP President Rajnath Singh should issue a public apology not only to Muslims, but to the entire nation for the Godhra riots of 2002.

"Rajnath Singh must be regretful; he is a man of character. He's in a spot because his PM candidate isn't accepting the blame," Khurshid said.

"They must first list all the wrongs that they have done, then the apology can come... They can't just apologise to the Muslims alone, they should apologise to the whole country," he added.

Speaking at the "Narendra Modi's Mission 272+: Role of Muslims" summit attended by members of the party's minority cell, Singh had yesterday urged Muslims to give the BJP a chance to govern and vote in favour of the party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"If we have ever committed any mistake, I assure you that we will bow down and ask for forgiveness," Rajnath Singh said.

The BJP chief was apparently referring to the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat, over which Narendra Modi has faced repeated criticism.