Compensation for terrorists, death sentence for BJP leaders: Congress leader
What's the story
Senior Congress leader Sagheer Saeed Khan has sparked a controversy after promising jobs and compensation to the "innocent" people killed in Jammu & Kashmir, allegedly referring to terrorists, adding that BJP leaders responsible for the bloodbath would be sent to gallows. Khan, who is the Observer of Minority Department of AICC, was speaking to local journalists in Kashmir on Wednesday. Here's what happened.
Statements
Khan's promises included jobs and freedom from jail
Khan promised if voted to power, Congress will give Rs. 1 crore compensation to those who lost their lives in the violence. He also spoke about providing jobs. Going a step further, Khan said terror suspects will be released from prison. He mentioned Kashmir was once seen as heaven but is surrounded by bodies nowadays. However, he gave hopes (?) of a better future.
Threatening
Accusing BJP leaders of bloodbath, Khan said they'll be hanged
Khan's controversial statements didn't end there as he also threatened BJP leaders. Holding them responsible for bloodshed in the valley, he said, "BJP leaders who have carried out these killings here, no matter how much powerful the leader is, a new law will be formed and those BJP leaders will be hanged to death." He suggested army was forced to follow the BJP's orders.
Information
Khan also spoke about 'Hindu terror' and Bulandshahr violence
Raking the Hindu terror angle, Khan said a soldier, Jeetu, went to Bulandshahr from Kashmir and "killed a cop". He was referring to the murder of inspector Subodh Singh in Uttar Pradesh. Khan said the accused was influenced by RSS's "Hindu terrorism".
Reactions
Meanwhile, BJP leader asks Rahul Gandhi to apologize
Unsurprisingly, Khan's remarks created an uproar. BJP leader and former J&K Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta demanded an apology from Congress President Rahul Gandhi. "Sagheer Saeed Khan has given an anti-national statement. The Congress stands exposed. Its heart bleeds for terrorists and not security forces," Gupta said. J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina said Congress was a party of "Lashkar, Jaish and Hizbul Mujahideen".
Quote
An embarrassed Congress rushes to do damage control
"I think he (Khan) spoke more than he was supposed to. He was sent here to work for the minority people... And if he said anything like that, then the Congress party disowns that statement," said Congress leader Vikram Malhotra, when asked for party's stand.