Was a ‘slip-of-tongue’, says Surjewala on ‘Afzal Guru ji’ comment

New Delhi : Giving justification for his alleged use of ‘ji’ after the name of 2001 Parliamentary attack convict Afzal Guru, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala on Monday withdrew his words and said that it was a ‘slip-of-tongue’.

“When I held the press conference, I was speaking about the inherent strength of India in giving adequate punishment through due process of law even to terrorists like Afzal Guru or Ajmal Kasab. Out of 20 times, when I spoke the name once, on account of a flow there has been an error or a slip of tongue,” he said.

“I withdraw that. But the intent was very clear that India is strong enough to punish through due process of law even a terrorist like Afzal Guru or Ajmal Kasab,” he added.

Addressing a press conference earlier, Surjewala, while addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as ‘Modi ji’ and Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah as ‘Amit Shah ji’, also addressed the terrorist as ‘Afzal Guru ji’. (ANI)