‘Saffron terror’ jibe: Has Shinde put foot in his mouth again?

Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde on January 20 stoked a controversy by accusing the BJP and the RSS of running terror training camps and promoting ‘Hindu Terrorism.’ While many view this comment as an attempt to assuage Muslim groups, others maintain that the statement is irresponsible and made to gain political mileage. Speak Up finds out

Shinde’s statement aims to gain political mileage
This issue is not new. Former IGP SM Mushrif and social activist Suresh Khairnar from Nagpur have worked a lot on the subject of BJP-RSS sponsored terrorism. The Malegaon police have proofs regarding such terrorist activities. However, categorically using the term ‘Hindu terrorism’ in his statement has been wrong on Shinde’s part, as he is the home minister. Terrorism cannot be related to any class or creed. Besides the Pakistan sponsored terrorist activities in the country, now there are other terrorist activities as well. Shinde, it seems, has made the statement to gain political mileage. With the general election soon to be held, raising issues such as these is common. Instead of making such statements, Shinde should take steps to curb the anti-national activities.
Subhash Vare, secretary, SM Joshi Socialist Foundation

Allegation weakens fight against terrorism
The statement won’t affect the BJP or RSS in any way but will harm the country as it will create divisions within the society. In response to this, Hafeez Sayeed has said that India should be declared as a terrorist nation. This proves that Shinde’s remark has weakened the fight against terror. Terrorism and national security must not be politicised at any cost. Shinde should use the machinery at his disposal to prove his allegations. The government is not serious about tackling terrorism. The fact that Afzal Guru has still not been hung is proof enough. Shinde should apologise. It has become fashionable to malign the RSS in some quarters.
Aniruddha Deshpande,  All-India joint secretary of public relations

International relations may hinder due to the remark
Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s statement is irresponsible. Terrorism is not about Muslim or Hindu. It has no colour of its own. Whether it is a Muslim or a Hindu organisation indulging in terrorism, it is the nation which suffers ultimately. Instead of helping the two communities come together and live in peace and harmony, Shinde’s remark may divide the two communities further.

The statement can also have a poor impact on our international relations.
Ateeque Shaikh, treasurer,
Pakistan-India People’s Forum for Peace & Democracy

With current tensions at LOC, Shinde’s comment ill-timed
Shinde’s statement is ill-timed given the current atmosphere at the LOC. As the home minister Shinde should not have made the statement. Terrorism is not a preserve of a particular community. Pinpointing Hindu or Muslim terrorism is wrong. There are elements outside the country who will try to use the issues to foment divisions within the country. It will encourage the fundamentalist elements in Pakistan and weaken the fight against terrorism. The statement has been made keeping in mind the vote bank ahead of the 2014 elections.
Madhav Godbole, former Union home secretary

Shinde should resign for his failures as a home minister
The statement is indirectly strengthening the Islamic fundamentalists. It is absolutely foolish. There has not been a single proven instance of Hindu terrorism in the country.  It is shocking to see a home minister stoop to such levels for votes. Though India has Hindus in majority, all minority rights are respected here. But the situation is not the same in Pakistan. Now Pakistan will use this statement to portray that minorities are persecuted in India. This is an
insult to India. Shinde should resign for his failures as the home minister.
Sandeep Khardekar, president, Creative Foundation

Evidences prove BJP-RSS promoted terrorism
There are many evidences against BJP-RSS promoting terrorism in the country. Shinde should be more aggressive in his accusations. His statement is just the tip of the iceberg. In all the four cases of Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid, Ajmer Sherif and Malegaon, initially Muslim organisations were blamed. However, in the year 2010-2011, when National Investigation Agency was investigating the case with special contribution from Anti-Terrorism Squad, Rajasthan, it was proved that the conspirators were RSS Prachar Pramukhs from five adjoining districts in Jharkhand and West Bengal. The main advisor to these conspirators was Swami Asimanand.

Evidences include sim cards, mobile numbers and telephonic conversations of suspects. In the Nanded blast, it was an accidental detection, wherein investigations revealed involvement of RSS and Bajrang Dal. There are scientific evidences of those injured in the blast based on their narco analysis tests. These perpetrators have not only admitted their involvement in the blast in Nanded but also the blasts in mosques in Jalna, Purna and Parbhani. They also admitted that they were trained in Pune on Sinhagad Road at Akanksha Resort and were given demonstrations in the adjacent hills. They were also given weapons.

In the 2008-Malegaon blast, investigated by Hemant Karkare, they also found a laptop with recordings saved of meetings of conspirators held throughout India.
SM Mushrif, former IGP