New Delhi: The BJP has attacked the Congress over a video of its senior leader Digvijaya Singh sharing the stage with controversial Mumbai-based preacher Zakir Naik, whose speeches are under scrutiny after reports that two of the seven terrorists who brutally killed 20 diners at a Dhaka cafe last weekend were inspired by them.
Bangladesh has asked India to examine Zakir Naik's speeches and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu today said that the government will study them.
At an event organized by Zakir Naik to promote communal harmony in 2012 Digvijaya Singh had said, "I am happy that you are spreading the message of peace across the world... you can build bridges between Hindus and Muslims," and also, "I congratulate you, I had heard about the power of your congregation, now I have seen it."
BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao today said the focus on whether the cleric's preaching had promoted terror was "a matter of great concern."
Referring to Digvijaya Singh's presence on stage with Zakir Naik, Mr Rao also attacked Congress president Sonia Gandhi, saying, "Whether it is Digvijaya Singh or any other Congress leader including the top leadership...Sonia Gandhi we all remember that she wept not for the security personnel who were killed in terror attacks. She wept for the terrorists who actually killed security officers in the Batla house encounter."
Digvijaya Singh said today that he had "appealed for communal harmony and opposed religious fundamentalism" at the event.
The Congress leader also tweeted,
"The Congress has believed there is no place in our society for extremism. If anyone does anything against law, it must be acted upon by the government and strict punishment should be given," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.
"I disagree that I inspired this act of killing innocent people", Zakir Naik has said in a video shared on WhatsApp. The 49-year-old cleric heads the Islamic Research Foundation and is barred from entering the UK, Canada and Malaysia because of his incendiary speeches that have included a defense of Osama bin Laden. His satellite TV channel, Peace India, is banned in India.
"How much Naik's teachings influenced the terrorists, that is to be investigated. We are investigating the whole matter," said a Bangladesh minister.
Bangladesh has asked India to examine Zakir Naik's speeches and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu today said that the government will study them.
At an event organized by Zakir Naik to promote communal harmony in 2012 Digvijaya Singh had said, "I am happy that you are spreading the message of peace across the world... you can build bridges between Hindus and Muslims," and also, "I congratulate you, I had heard about the power of your congregation, now I have seen it."
Referring to Digvijaya Singh's presence on stage with Zakir Naik, Mr Rao also attacked Congress president Sonia Gandhi, saying, "Whether it is Digvijaya Singh or any other Congress leader including the top leadership...Sonia Gandhi we all remember that she wept not for the security personnel who were killed in terror attacks. She wept for the terrorists who actually killed security officers in the Batla house encounter."
Advertisement
The Congress leader also tweeted,
"The Congress has believed there is no place in our society for extremism. If anyone does anything against law, it must be acted upon by the government and strict punishment should be given," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Advertisement
"How much Naik's teachings influenced the terrorists, that is to be investigated. We are investigating the whole matter," said a Bangladesh minister.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Congress' Digvijaya Singh Files Petition Alleging Irregularities In Lok Sabha Polls "Learn From RSS": Congress' Digvijaya Singh Tells Youth Party Workers Amit Shah Quotes Poet, Asks Voters To Bid Farewell To Digvijaya Singh What Trump Rally Shooter Did On Last Day Of His Life Under-Fire Trainee IAS Officer Accuses Pune Collector Of Harassment Anand Mahindra Shares Picture Of US Senator's Indian Wedding, Calls It... Four In Five Americans Fear Country Is Sliding Into Chaos: Polls Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs. 2.39 Lakh Admission Deadline Extended For EWS And Special Needs Children Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.