Arvind Kejriwal slammed BJP over its Bhopal candidate Sadhvi Pragya's comment on Hemant Karkare
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has hit out at BJP's Bhopal candidate Sadhvi Pragya Thakur for her "disgraceful" comments on 26/11 hero Hemant Karkare, saying it showed party's "true colours".
Sadhvi Pragya Thakur said former Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad chief Hemant Karkare, who died in action during the Mumbai terror attacks, had falsely implicated her in the Malegaon blast case and thus, died because "of his karma".
As the chief of Maharashtra's anti-terror squad, Hemant Karkare had investigated Sadhvi Pragya in connection with the blasts in Malegaon two months before that.
"The investigation team called Hemant Karkare and said if you do not have evidence, let her go. He said, I will do anything to get evidence against her. I won't let her go. This was his hatred (kuteelta). He was anti-national. He was dharam virudh (anti-religion). You won't believe, but I said, 'tera sarvanashhoga'. Just after 'sawa' month, terrorists killed him," said Sadhvi Pragya to reporters on Thursday.
She was flanked by BJP leaders who are seen applauding comments that seem incongruous to their party's anti-terror and nationalistic narrative in this election campaign.
The Delhi Chief Minister tweeted, "Disgraceful comments by BJP's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Sadhvi Pragya Thakur on 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkareji need to be condemned in strongest terms. BJP is showing its true colours and it must be shown its place now."
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also tweeted that the BJP is questioning the valor of Hemant Karkare, who gave up his life to protect "Bharat Mata" during Mumbai terror attacks.