New Delhi:
Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma on Monday said in the Lok
Sabha that the demolition of Babri Masjid and 2002 Gujarat riots
were acts of terrorism.
His statement came when the
Samajwadi Party members stalled the Lok Sabha proceedings
protesting the union minister's alleged statement that Mulayam
Singh was a goon and had links with terrorists.
"For me,
terrorism has no religion, no colour. The demolition of Babri
Masjid and the post-Godhra riots are also terrorist incidents",
Verma said as SP members raised slogans against him.
"But he (Mulayam) joined hands with those who demolished Babri
Masjid, like Kalyan Singh. His party also helped BJP to win in
Gujarat," he claimed.
Babri Masjid was demolished
allegedly by Hindu extremists on December 06, 1992. Whereas, more
than 2000 civilians mostly Muslims were killed in February 2002 in
Gujarat where communal riot broke out after a blaze in train near
Godhra.
Samajwadi
Party members disrupted both houses of parliament Monday,
demanding Beni Prasad Verma's sacking for
allegedly saying their party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav had
"terrorist links".
Verma's party Congress also expressed its displeasure over his
reported remarks.
In the Lok Sabha, the issue was first raised during zero hour by
SP member Shailendra Kumar and party MPs then trooped towards the
speaker's podium, seeking an apology from Verma and his dismissal
from the council of ministers over the issue.
Verma contended that he had not made any such statement, and so
there was no question of an apology. "Where is the proof that I
have said such a thing? I did not link terrorism to any religion,"
he said.
SP members, however, remained adamant as Mulayam Singh rose to
speak and attacked Verma.
Mulayam Singh said Verma's comments followed a Muslim convention
he had addressed in Lucknow, where several Muslim religious
leaders spoke about the contribution of the community in the
service of the nation.
The SP chief said he would continue to fight for the cause of
minorities.
"How can we forget their contributions in national development as
also in securing our borders? How can he say that Muslims are
terrorists? He should apologise," he said.
Addressing a public function in
Gonda, Verma had reportedly said: "Samajwadi Party nahin, sirf
Mulayam Singh Yadav kharab hai. Unka apradhik jeevan raha hai, aur
aatankwadiyon se bhi unka rishta hai. Bahut jald Mulayam Tihar
Jail janey ko taiyyar rahein. Mulayam zaher ka ghoont pe rahe hain,
aur Congress ko samarthan de rahey hain, aur commission bhi kha
rahey hain. (It is not SP, but Mulayam who is a bad person. He has
a criminal background and even has relations with terrorists.
Mulayam should be ready to go to Tihar Jail very soon. He is
extending support to Congress under compulsion, and taking
commission for this.)"
He added: "Mulayam ne hamesha apney virodhiyon ko dushman ki tarah
liya hai. Mulayam looterey key sath gundey bhi hain. (Mulayam has
always treated his opponents as his enemy. Mulayam is not only a
dacoit but also a goon.)"
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