Aligarh: Former Union Minister Salman Khurshid has admitted to Congress’ lapses during communal riots under its rule saying the party had Muslims’ “blood on (its) hands”.
Khurshid made the remarks in response to a question by an Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) student at a programme as to how the Congress would wash off the blood stains of Muslims from its hands.
“It is a political question. There is blood on our hands. I am also a part of the Congress so let me say it, we have blood on our hands. Is this why you are trying to tell us that if someone attacks you, we must not come forward to protect you?” Khurshid said at an AMU event on April 22.
The student had posed the query referring to a series of communal riots and other controversial acts under the Congress rule in the past.
“I am telling you. We are ready to show the blood on our hands so that you realise that you too must not get blood on your hands. If you attack them, you are the ones who would get stains on your hands,” he said. “Learn something from our past. Learn from our history and don’t create such situations for yourself where if you come back to Aligarh Muslim University after 10 years, you find no one like yourself putting out questions,” he said.
Referring to a long list of communal conflagrations including those at Hasanpura, Maliana, Muzaffarnagar, the student asked: “The first amendment was in 1948. Then there was Presidential order in 1950… after that Hasanpura, Maliana, Muzaffarnagar and there is a long list of riots under the Congress regime. Then there was the opening of the gates of Babri Masjid, placing idols inside and then the demolition of Babri Masjid while the Congress was in power at the Centre. Congress has Muslims’ blood on its hands. With what words will you wash them off?”
The former Union Minister was the chief guest at the annual function of B.R. Ambedkar Hall of the AMU.
In response to the media coverage of his comments made at AMU, Khurshid said on Twitter: “Media saddens. They question right to speak truth. They distort reply to isolated hostile question by imputing confession instead of reporting ‘despite allegations would you deny our duty to protect you from harm?’ Sensationalism for profit?”
The Congress has, meanwhile, distanced itself from Khurshid’s remarks.
“The Congress disagrees with his statement… It is his personal view, not the party’s,” Congress spokesperson P.L. Punia said.
Inputs from PTI
