BJP, RSS conducting ‘terror training’ camps, says Shinde

Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Sunday stoked a controversy by accusing the BJP and RSS of conducting terror training camps and promoting "Hindu terrorism", setting off an angry reaction from the saffron parties which demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi.

"On one hand we are trying to bring peace in this country. We are also taking steps against injustice to minorities as also against infiltration. But, in the midst of all this, we have got an investigation report that be it the RSS or BJP, their training camps are promoting Hindu terrorism. We are keeping a strict vigil on all this," Shinde said at the AICC session here.

He said bombs were planted in Samjhauta express, Mecca Masjid and also a blast was carried out in Malegaon. In all these incidents, the involvement of right-wing extremist groups is suspected. "We will have to think about it seriously and will have to remain alert," he said.

Attacking Shinde, BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters in Delhi, "Their (Congress's) destructive mindset is reflected in the statement of the home minister. The statement he has given at the Chintan Shivir is very objectionable. It's not only unacceptable but also dangerous."

He said Shinde's statement was aimed at disrupting peace and harmony in the country.

RSS spokesman Ram Madhav said Shinde's remarks were made only to please his party bosses. "If a Congress leader had said something like this it wouldn't have mattered that much, but if the home minister of the country is saying something like this, it is highly irresponsible," he said.

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