Congress Double Standards

Chidambaram has also talked about ‘jihadi’ terror, but that seems to be ok.

The BJP’s clamorous protests and its claim that there is no such thing as saffron terrorism are understandable. But Congress’ nervousness over P Chidambaram’s “saffron terror” remark and the way the party had to field its spokesperson Janardan Dwivedi to water down the Home Minister’s measured words only show how fearful the party is of hurting the sentiments of Hindus, even if the nation faces the threat of Hindutva terror.

Interestingly, in the same speech, made at a conference of top police officials last week, Chidambaram had also talked of “jihadi terrorists”. Neither the Congress nor BJP had any issues with that. Perhaps that does not amount to labelling of terror. Perhaps sensitivities of Hindus are electorally more significant than Muslims’.

The double standard of the Congress, not to talk of the BJP, cannot reduce the significance of Chidambaram’s remarks. Investigations have established the terror activities of Hindutva groups such as Abhinav Bharat, Rashtriya Jagran Manch and Sanatan Sanstha. It is now pretty clear that they were behind the 2007 terror strikes at Hyderabad and Ajmer and 2008 blasts at Malegaon. Even the strike on Samjhauta Express in 2007, which killed 68 people, is suspected to have been carried out by these forces. Some sensational arrests of RSS and VHP functionaries have also been made in this regard.

Incidentally, the Congress had no problem when initially all these attacks were blamed on ‘Muslim terrorists’. No Janardan  Dwivedi was fielded then to preach against the labelling of terror. 

Perhaps the sudden distaste for such labelling doubly suits the Congress. For it allows the party to continue with its soft Hindutva line, while facilitating its strange alliance with the BJP. The alliance helped the UPA Government in passing the Nuclear Liability Bill in Parliament, and may yield more dividends if nurtured further.

About The Author

Dhirendra K. Jha