19 December,2010 07:42 AM IST | | VARUN SINGH
Says the Shiv Sena, planning to protest against his "Hindu terror" statements; Modi lashes out at Rahul, calling his remarks pro-Pakistan
Lok Sabha member Rahul Gandhi's next visit to Mumbai may not go off smoothly. The last time, he managed to travel in a local train with special protection from the commissioner and the then chief minister waiting on him.
If Gandhi is coming to Mumbai anytime soon, the party says it will see to it that he feels the heat.
Subhash Desai, senior Sena leader, said, "We will protest against the statement that he has made, unless he makes a public apology. We are not going to disclose our plans until he visits the city."
Abhijit Adsul, Sena MLA, said, "We are just waiting for Saheb's (Bal Thackeray) aadesh. The moment we receive it, we will be ready to tackle the situation. We protested when he visited Mumbai in February, and will do it again when he visits again."
Another Sena pramukh from the Western suburbs said, "We will do anything to safeguard Hinduism. We are waiting for the orders from the top brass to take to the streets. We'll teach him a lesson he won't forget."
The Congress has dismissed the Sena's statements as fake threats. "This is not the Sena of the 60s -- the militant Sena doesn't exist anymore. If they've planned something for when Rahulji visits Mumbai next, it will be a second flop show," said Anant Gadgil, spokesperson, Congress, referring to Gandhi's February trip that turned out to be a successful PR exercise.
BJP leader and Gujarat CM Narendra Modi lashed out at Gandhi's comments on Saturday, calling them "irresponsible." Modi told the media, "I have been wondering for a long time now why even though the whole world believes that Pakistan is a terrorist state, the US always backs the country. However, yesterday after the cables were out, it was clear who gave inspiration to the US to speak pro-Pakistan."
While the Sena is worked up, Ram Madhav, spokesperson for the RSS says, "The media will now spread the message that the Congress is not a secular party. We won't begin any protests. Whatever has to be done, it's the Congress that needs to do it; the ball is in their court now. Rahul needs to learn diplomacy since he aspires to be at the top post someday."
Atul Sarpotdar, senior MNS leader said the party is of the opinion that this is a ploy to divert attention from the issue of corruption ailing the Congress, although he admitted that the party was against Gandhi's statement.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi is expected to clarify his stand during the AICC meeting scheduled to be held in Delhi on Sunday.
Tracing the Hindu terror lingo
A R Antulay, Congress leader, said in December 2008: The killing of Hemant Karkare, the slain ATS officer by Mumbai terrorists was somehow linked to his investigation of 'Hindu terrorists' in the September 2008 Malegaon blasts case.
P Chidambaram, Union Home Minister, August 2010: Chidambaram said 'saffron terrorism' involved in many bomb blasts has been uncovered.
Digvijay Singh, former CM of Madhya Pradesh, December 2010: Hinting at Hindu extremist involvement, Singh claimed that Karkare had called him saying that there was a threat to his life hours before the 26/11 terror attack took place.
