Jaswant Singh must also explain to the nation why he chose to make this crucial revelation at the eleventh hour. He could have made this statement at any time in the past if he was indeed privy to this truth for all these while. The truth is that BJP made a mistake during the Kandahar episode and instead of owning up to it, the party is trying every trick in order to wriggle out of the controversy. The party must introspect and put an end to this web of lies.

Stop the shoes

It is high time that the practice of forgiving those who throw shoes at public leaders was stopped. It has grown beyond a mere cause of embarrassment and will soon reach a level where even state assemblies or Parliament might witness independent MLA or MPs hurling a shoe at the chair or any other leader. Stringent action must be taken against those caught making this mischief.

I agree with BJP’s Balbir Punj that prime minister must not forgive anyone who hurls a shoe at him. The office of the prime minister is an institution that represents all Indian people, so is the office of leader of Opposition. Any attempt to throw a shoe at them — that too for nothing but cheap publicity — must be severely punished. Those who try to repeat this act in the legislature must have their membership revoked immediately.

The writer is a Congress MP in the Rajya Sabha