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Phrase
'saffron terror' takes the message home: Chidambaram
Wednesday, September 01, 2010 05:21:38 PM,
IANS
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New Delhi:
Unapologetic about using the term "saffron terror" that infuriated
the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Home Minister P. Chidambaram
Wednesday said he used the words to convey the message that a few
rightwing religious groups were behind some terror blasts in
India.
"I cannot claim the patent on the phrase. The phrase has been used
in the past," Chidambaram told a press conference here.
He was asked about the objection raised by the BJP in parliament
after Chidambaram cautioned security and intelligence officials at
an internal security meeting against "recently uncovered
phenomenon of saffron terrorism".
"The message is that rightwing fundamentalist groups are suspected
to be behind some bomb blasts. These are religious fundamentalist
groups. The message ought not to be lost in phrases. And perhaps
the use of that phrase has brought the message home. So, the
purpose in a way has been served," the home minister said.
Referring to Hindu extremist outfits, Chidambaram had said in the
meeting last week that there was "no let-up in attempts to
radicalise young men and women in India".
This prompted a bitter reaction from the BJP and the Shiv Sena,
which created an uproar in parliament, the opposition seeking
explanation from the home minister and the ruling Congress.
The Congress was itself pushed to the wall in the face of tough
opposition from the BJP at a time when the government was seeking
its cooperation for the passage of some crucial bills. Hoping to
end the controversy, the Congress said the issue was terror and
not its colour.
"The issue is terrorism. Terrorism does not have any colour,"
Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters.
Asked about Dwivedi's remarks, Chidambaram said: "The party is
supreme."
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