PC links migrants to crime in Delhi,withdraws remark

“There are a large number of unauthorised colonies,and these migrants who settle in unauthorised colonies carry a kind of behaviour which is unacceptable in any modern city. So crimes do take place,” Chidambaram told reporters at the inauguration of New Delhi City Centre near Jantar Mantar,in which some offices of his Ministry will be housed. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was present at the function.

The Home Ministry is responsible for law and order in the national capital. Chidambaram was answering a question on increasing incidents of rapes in the city,in light of the gangrape of an 18-year-old girl in a moving car yesterday,even as 600-700 policemen tried to locate the accused who had kidnapped her.

This was the fourth incident of abduction and gangrape in Delhi in the span of a month. A total 433 rapes have been reported in the city so far this year.

Chidambaram’s remark had an immediate reaction. The BJP said it was “irresponsible” for the Minister,to whom the Delhi Police reports,to try to “cover up” his failures. “Congress leaders are taking out their frustration over the party’s defeat in Bihar,” said BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain,who hails from Bihar. “Delhi Police works under the nose of the Home Minister,” Hussain said.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad said that by blaming migrants,Chidambaram was passing the buck for the failures of his own Ministry. BSP chief Mayawati accused Chidambaram of “speaking the language of other irresponsible leaders about North Indians” in order to “hide his own incompetence”.

Sandeep Dikshit,Congress MP from East Delhi and son of Chief Minister Dikshit,said,“Chidambaram is not aware of the facts.”

Congress MP from Domariyaganj Jagdambika Pal said,“Any crime is a crime and it should not be associated with all migrants. Migrants have equally contributed in the making of Delhi. Delhi Police should rather strengthen policing.”

Soon afterward,Chidambaram withdrew his remarks.

He said he had “made a matter-of-fact reference to migration,unauthorised settlements and behaviour that is unacceptable”,and “did not refer to any state or region or language or race or religion”.

“I am dismayed that some people have pounced upon the word ‘migrant’ and raised a controversy. The country faces many real issues,and I have no desire to say or do anything that will distract from the real issues. I have nothing against migration or migrants,being a migrant myself. I was pointing to ‘behaviour that is unacceptable’. Nevertheless,I think the best way to put an end to any controversy would be to withdraw the whole of my answer to the question (asked by reporters),and I do so,” the statement said.

Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said there was no need for further comment after the Home Minister had clarified. “No one has condoned or justified such despicable acts against women and the entire gamut of causes,which led to such dastardly acts are being combated with full vigour,” Singhvi said.