Amid protests, criticism, Kejriwal defends demand for proof of surgical strikes

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Oct 04, 2016: Rejecting BJP’s criticism, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday accused the party of ‘playing politics’ over the anti-terror surgical strike.

In a rare gesture, Kejriwal had on Monday ‘saluted’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the strikes on terror launch pads across the LoC. He had also urged the Centre to counter the smear campaign by Pakistan and international media.

However, the BJP alleged that Kejriwal had, in the garb of his statement, questioned the Army’s assertion on surgical strike and insulted the armed forces.

“I have supported the Prime Minister, applauded the army. I only said that Pakistan is spreading false propaganda in the world that surgical strikes did not happen. We all believe that surgical strikes took place,” Kejriwal said on Tuesday.

“I had only appealed to the PM that a befitting reply should be given to Pakistan. If I said that we have to counter Pakistan’s false propaganda then why is the BJP so rattled and scared? We all have to counter Pakistan’s propaganda and we should all, irrespective of the party, strengthen PM’s hands in this,” Kejriwal said.

Claiming that Kejriwal “sought proof” on the anti-terror operation, the BJP asked him not to belittle the armed forces by getting influenced by Pakistani “propaganda”.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad questioned the AAP leader’s faith in the Indian Army.

On the same day, BJP workers staged protests outside Kejriwal’s residence, accusing him of a pro-Pakistan stance and demanding his resignation.

Hundreds of BJP supporters, led by Delhi unit chief Satish Upadhyay and leader of opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta, raised slogans: “Jo Hafeez Saeed ka yaar hai, desh ka gaddar hai (Those who are friends with Hafeez Saeed are traitors).”

Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Youth and minority morcha also joined them.

The Delhi Police had to resort to mild force to disperse the protesters.