Congress defends Shinde, says he meant 'right wing terrorism'

The Congress on Sunday defended Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde who provoked the BJP by saying its ideological mentor RSS was promoting Hindu terrorism in its training camps.

"After investigations, we have seen that be it the BJP or the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), their training camps are promoting Hindu terrorism. This is a matter of concern," Shinde said at the All India Congress Committee session here.

"We have known this for long. Shinde had the courage to say it," Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar told reporters.

"There is no Hindu or Muslim terrorism. What he meant was right wing terrorism," said Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla.

The BJP said Congress leaders should apologise for making the statement.