File photo of Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan
Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan has provoked anger after saying that the Paris terror attacks were the result of the action of global superpowers like America and Russia and "history will decide who is a terrorist."
"We condemn the Paris attack, we also condemn the attacks on oil-bearing countries by America and Russia. Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and Iran were destroyed in these attacks," Mr Khan said at a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh.
"We should first see who killed the innocents first and who retaliated. Whoever kills innocent people, whether it is America or Russia or any group, is wrong...history will decide who is a terrorist and who is not," he said.
In one news report, he is also quoted as saying: " Killing innocents whether in Syria or Paris is a highly deplorable act and the whole world should condemn it. But then, if you created such a situation, you have to face the backlash too."
Azam Khan today said he had been quoted out of context, and that he had strongly condemned the attacks. His Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav, echoed that defence.
On Friday, 129 people were killed in Paris as gunmen and suicide bombers attacked multiple targets. The terror group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The attacks have taken centre-stage at a G20 summit in Turkey's Antalya, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a 10-point proposal for tackling global terror, stressing on de-linking terror and religion while isolating sponsors and supporters of terrorism.
"Azam Khan's statement on Paris is highly condemnable and shame India," said the BJP's Siddharth Nath Singh, demanding an apology from the Chief Minister.
"He is a responsible leader and should refrain from making such a comment," he said.
Congress leader PL Punia said: "Terrorism should be condemned and those who support them should also be condemned."