Chacko, however, clarified that while Malik's "courage" to resist from surrendering is commendable, he does not support the JKLF chief's ideology or his actions.
Senior Congress leader PC Chacko on Saturday lauded separatist leader Yasin Malik for showing "courage" and not surrendering before the government in New Delhi.
Malik, who is the chief of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), is in judicial custody till May 24 in connection with a terror funding case.
Comparing Malik to Bhopal BJP Lok Sabha candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who is an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, the senior Congress leader told ANI, "If Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused, can contest an election, and in the name of separatism, Delhi is asking him (Yasin Malik) at gunpoint to surrender, anyone with self-respect will react the way Mr Yasin Malik did."
Chacko, however, clarified that while Malik's "courage" to resist from surrendering is commendable, he does not support the JKLF chief's ideology or his actions.
"Even though we do not support Yasin Malik's ideology or actions, the courage he has shown is something which should be appreciated because New Delhi cannot threaten anybody, India is a democracy," he asserted.
Malik, whose outfit JKLF was banned in March by the Centre, is facing two CBI cases related to the abduction of Rubaiya Saeed, daughter of former Union home minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, in 1989.
Malik is also facing trial in connection with the death of four IAF personnel in 1990.
How Twitter reacted:
1. Twitter reacts
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PC Chacko, Congress: If Pragya Singh Thakur, a convicted person, an accused person, can contest an election, and in the name of separatism, Delhi is asking him (Yasin Malik) at gun point to surrender, anyone with self respect will react the way Mr Yasin Malik did. pic.twitter.com/GmWg2ZY0D5
— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2019
Have you lost it PC Chacko?
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) April 27, 2019
You are praising ‘courage’ of a terrorist Yasin Malik who killed 4 Indian Air Force men and Kashmiri Pandits.
Does Congress back terrorism and separatism in the Kashmir valley?
Mani Shankar Aiyar moment yet again. https://t.co/rL0rtYHaAT
This statement defines why Congress is on way to be defeated in 2019. Even a senior leader like PC Chacko doesn’t know that terrorist Yasin Malik killed 4 IAF men and was free thanks to Congress. Next what? Yasin Malik as the star campaigner for Congress from Tihar Jail? Shame! https://t.co/4fOs2LxFyd
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) April 27, 2019
2. 'One can only marvel at how Cong survives'
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History/GK lessons anyone? Yasin Malik shot & killed 4 unarmed IAF men waiting for a bus in Srinagar.
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) April 27, 2019
One can only marvel at how Congress survives on despite such an artillery of human bombs.. https://t.co/9UtcNMnOls
Does Congress leader PC Chacko realise Yasin Malik is the alleged killer of 4 Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel in Srinagar? He is also accused of masterminding the GENOCIDE of Kashmiri Pandits in the Kashmir valley. Shatrughan Sinha praises #Jinnah, Chacko soft on Yasin. Why? https://t.co/WGlBsFL1G2
— GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) April 27, 2019
One Congress leader questions #Balakot. Another defends Yasin Malik. Yet another praises Jinnah.#MSM editors go weak in their knees in delirious joy. #LokSabhaElections2019
— Kanchan Gupta (@KanchanGupta) April 27, 2019
PC Chacko’s contribution to the Congress is for everyone to see in his handling of New Delhi. And now in the middle of the election- when the BJP is running a high pitched Nationalism campaign- PC Chacko’s horrible statement of support in favor of terrorist Yasin Malik comes.
— Sadhavi Khosla (@sadhavi) April 27, 2019
Congress leader PC Chacko is batting for terrorist Yasin Malik. Shatrughan Sinha paid tribute to Jinnah. Don't assume these statements are out of thin air. They're well planned to appease a traditional vote-bank of Cong during elections.
— Chowkidar Devika (@Dayweekaa) April 27, 2019
