New Delhi, September 30: Under attack from Bharatiya Janata Party for his remarks that ‘2010 is not 1992,’ Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Wednesday hit back saying if Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and BJP behave in a responsible manner after September 30, he will reconsider his statement.
“I know the parameters of accountability and morality. I do not need certificate from the BJP. If the RSS, VHP and BJP behave in a responsible manner after September 30 (when the Ayodhya title suit verdict will be given), I will be happy to reconsider it (statement made yesterday),” Singh told mediapersons in New Delhi.
Singh, who is the All India Congress Committee general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh, said he knew to stay in his ‘limits’ and whatever he said was with full responsibility.
He again reiterated that he did not trust the BJP as the party went back on its affidavit given in the Supreme Court in 1992 and ‘facilitated the demolition of the Babri mosque.’
Singh had said on Tuesday that the BJP should realise that 2010 was not 1992 when the Babri Masjid was demolished and asked the party to ‘restrain’ its cadre.
“I hope BJP would realise that 2010 is not 1992. They should restrain their cadres from indulging in violence,” Singh had said.
He had also charged senior BJP leader L K Advani of ‘vitiating the communal atmosphere’ of the country in 1992 and alleged that he has again brought up the issue of Ram temple in his statement in Somnath which ‘he did not do when he was the home minister and deputy prime minister of the country.’
“BJP’s relationship with Ram is limited to elections. What was BJP doing (for Ram temple) when it was in power. They have only tried to use the issue politically,” Singh had said.
The comments invited strong criticism from the BJP with party spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain asking Singh to practice restraint, saying he should not make ‘irresponsible comments’ and should stay within limits of propriety.
Singh on Wedneday said there are ‘fringe elements’ in the country both among the Hindus and the Muslims who want to polarise the situation and communalise the ‘body politic’ of the country.
“We have to ensure that communal harmony and peace peace prevails under all circumstances,” he said.
The Congress leader said, “I would be very happy if the BJP is able to control their cadre and the people who have been raising such issues and making inflammatory statements.”
Singh also complimented UP Chief Minister Mayawati for taking sufficient measures to control any communal conflagration in the wake of the judgement of the Allahand high court on Thursday.
“There is no doubt that there is tension in UP. But the state government has taken sufficient measures. By and large, the reports we have got from the state is encouraging,” Singh said.
He, however, expressed apprehension about Madhya Pradesh saying ‘it remains to be seen whether the district magistrates listen to the chief minister or the leaders of the VHP, RSS and others in the state.’
Singh said that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan had called him earlier and sought cooperation in maintaining law and order and communal harmony.
“There are some elements in the BJP who would like to incite passions. We have to be careful. By and large, the situation cannot be like 1992. The generation born in 1990 is looking ahead on issues of livelihood and employment,” he said.
–PTI–