Poll authorities probing controversial remarks by Azam

Poll authorities here are suo motu probing the controversial remarks over Kargil war made by Samajwadi party leader Azam Khan.

“We are examining the 30-minute video speech of Azam Khan on Kargil War and other issues. We have stared probe and if he is found guilty, strict action would be taken against him,” said a senior poll official, who didn’t wish to be named.

Khan had kicked up a controversy earlier this week by saying it was “Muslim soldiers” who fought for India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil war against Pakistan.

In a speech laced with communal tones, Khan had said during a party rally on Monday, “Those who fought for victory in Kargil were not Hindu soldiers, in fact the ones who fought for our victory were Muslim soldiers.”

The controversy-prone Khan, a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, had also called Narendra Modi’s close aide Amit Shah “Gunda no 1”, saying he has come to Uttar Pradesh to “create terror”.