With the BJP engaged in a full-blown war of words with the Congress on terror in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, the RSS on Monday sounded a word of caution, saying that “discourse on terror must transcend narrow political considerations.” The BJP, after a brief show of unity, has gone hammer and tongs at the Congress for its “inept handling of the Mumbai terror attack”.

In his statement on Monday, RSS second-in-command Mohan Bhagwat said: “Major attitudinal and systemic changes have to be brought in (in the wake of the Mumbai terror attack). I hope that the discourse on terrorism would hereafter transcend narrow political consideration and the nation will demonstrate

maturity and sincerity to deal with this threat.”

While the BJP failed to mention Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad chief Hemant Karkare in its official statement last week (one-third of the twelve-odd leaders present in the office-bearers’ meeting were said to be against the inclusion of Karkare’s name), the RSS leader in his statement said: “It is very saddening that more than 200 people have lost their lives. A good number of security personnel were also martyred. Those killed include many eminent people and senior police and security officials. I appeal to all patriotic citizens to organise public programmes to pay homage to victims of Mumbai terror and to express solidarity with those who are fighting this terror valiantly.”

While Gujarat CM Narendra Modi had visited Karkare’s residence — where his offer of help was spurned by the family- the BJP has not planned anything similar. The party has, however, reiterated its call for a strong anti-terror law, “that alone would make the idea of a federal agency, being mooted by the Government, effective in tacking terror.” “If this is India’s 9/11, our response, too, should match what the US response to the attacks was,” said party general secretary Arun Jaitley on Monday.