Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he stood by his remarks on Twitter terming BJP MP Pragya Thakur a “terrorist” and was ready to face any action
New Delhi: An MLA from Congress in Madhya Pradesh has threatened to burn alive BJP Lok Sabha MP Pragya Singh Thakur, facing flak for her remarks on Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse, if she entered his constituency.
On Thursday the MLA, Govardhan Dangi, issued the threat, but apologized on Friday for his controversial remark, saying it was a mistake. Dangi from Biaora in Rajgarh district said he firmly believes in Gandhian principle of non-violence
After a protest at Biaora, about 115km from Bhopal, on Thursday against Thakur’s comment in the Lok Sabha, Dangi said, “Nothing can be more disgusting than praising Mahatma Gandhi’s killer.
“We criticized her and not only burnt her effigy but also if she comes here we will burn her too, said the MLA, whose statement went viral on social media. After controversy erupted over his statement, Dangi told the media he follows Mahatma Gandhi’s principles.
On Friday Dangi said I meant to say that the people of Rajgarh district will boycott her. There was some mistake in speaking. We are followers of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violence. I apologize for it. The state Congress distanced itself from the Dangi ‘s comments.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he stood by his remarks on Twitter terming BJP MP Pragya Thakur a “terrorist” and was ready to face any action.
“Yes, I stand by my words. What I have written on Twitter, I stand by it. Yes,” he told reporters after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey demanded a privilege motion against Gandhi for calling Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast, a “terrorist”.
Asked about BJP calling for action against him, Gandhi said, “That’s ok. There’s no problem. Whatever they want to do, I’ll welcome.”
Gandhi had hit out at Thakur over her remarks on Godse on the floor of the Lok Sabha on Wednesday and said she has displayed the heart of the BJP and the RSS, and it cannot be hidden.
“Terrorist Pragya calls terrorist Godse, a patriot. A sad day, in the history of India’s Parliament,” Gandhi said.
Thakur had created an uproar with her statement appreciating Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin. After protests by opposition parties all through Thursday, she was called to the Lok Sabha on Friday and asked to apologize.
“If anyone is hurt due to any of my comments, I apologize. But, my point was misrepresented. I was called a terrorist there is no evidence against me,” Thakur said, triggering massive protest in opposition benches.
She was then forced to read out another apology, this time one that was agreed to by the floor leaders of all parties. However, she again started off with her alleged mistreatment. Her microphone was muted after she completed the apology.
From the past two days, parliament is observing the war of words between ruling BJP and opposition parties.
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