VHP Leader Sadhvi Prachi"s Remark Sparks Controversy

Roorkee:  Vishva Hindu Parishad leader Sadhvi Prachi triggered a controversy on Thrusday by alleging there are “one or two terrorists” in Parliament in remarks that appeared to be targeting lawmakers who were against hanging of 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon.

Ms Prachi’s controversial outburst that sparked an outrage also saw her asking the Centre to hand over the Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Naved Yakub arrested in Udhampur on Wednesday to Hindu organizations so that he is taught a “good lesson”.

The saffron leader was speaking to the media in Roorkee when asked about some opposition to death penalty for yakub Memon who was hanged on July 30 in a Nagpur prison.

“It is a big misfortune that in the Indian Parliament, we have one-two terrorists sitting there. I do not think there can be a bigger misfortune for India than this as they who are disobeying the judgement of a court, because the court has proved that he (Yakub) is a terrorist. When the court has already proved so, those supporting the terrorist are terrorists themselves I believe,” she said.

Shortly after Yakub’s execution, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said he was saddened by the hanging of the lone death row convict in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and said that the “state-sponsored killing diminishes us all by reducing us to murderers too.” Mr Tharoor also argued against the death penalty.

“Yakub Memon hanged. Exemplary urgency and commitment has been shown by government and Judiciary in punishing an accused of terror,” said another Congress leader Digvijay Singh.

Congress took on Ms Sadhvi for her remarks against parliamentarians and demanded action against the leader.

“The Parliament belongs to all of us. The Constitution has said that Parliament is the temple of democracy. And if someone calls those sitting inside it, as terrorists, then it is not just an insult to the Parliament but also the Constitution. I think it is the right time that Speaker Sumitra Mahajan takes action,” Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said.

Ms Sadhvi also said that she wanted the Pakistani terrorist who was captured yesterday in Udhampur to be handed over to Hindu organisations after questioning.

“It is my humble request to the Centre that after the security agencies are through with their necessary investigations the arrested Pakistani terrorist should be handed over to Hindu outfits which alone can teach him a good lesson,” she added.