Parivar attacks ‘soft policies’

NEW DELHI: Thursday’s terrorist attempt has outraged the saffron brigade. Top leaders of the Sangh Parivar, including the BJP, reacted sharply to the attack. The BJP attacked the “soft policies” of the UPA government, warning that terrorism could not be tackled with kid gloves. The party, however, praised the good work done by the security forces, which eventually foiled the terrorist attempt. It asked the cadre across the country to remain calm.

Leader of Opposition L K Advani condemned the attack bid on the RSS headquarters and cautioned the government against any “soft” approach towards terrorism. He criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his remarks in Srinagar about “zero tolerance” towards human rights violations, saying the phrase should have instead been used against anti-national forces. “The phraseology zero tolerance seems addressed not to the enemy of the country, but to those who protect the country,” Advani said. He emphasised the need for greater intelligence on ISI modules in the country.

The BJP leaders took the opportunity to criticise the ruling UPA for the repeal of the anti-terror law POTA. “Repealing an anti-terror law, talks about demilitarisation, scaling down troops in Doda and other such measures send out a message of soft policy on terrorism,” Advani said.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee condemned the terrorist bid on the RSS headquarters and appealed to everyone to remain alert. “Jihadi forces have become bold enough to attempt to attack the RSS headquarters. It is heartening that the police have been successful in thwarting their designs,” BJP president Rajnath Singh said.