NEW DELHI, Aug 7: Amidst continuous uproar by the opposition accusing Defence Minister A K Antony of giving a clean chit to Pakistan on the killings of jawans at Line of Control, the Congress today defended Mr Antony.
Five soldiers were martyred and one was injured when a patrol party of the army, comprising one non-commissioned officer and five other ranks, were ambushed on Indian side of Line of Control in Poonch sector in Jammu and Kashmir on early morning, the Defence Minister had said in a statement in Parliament yesterday.
While the Defence Ministry had held Pakistani Army accountable for the attack, the statement of the Defence Minister in both the Houses of Parliament said they were terrorists in Pakistan army’s uniform.
This led to uproar in both the Houses today, followed by their adjourned for the day.
“This is an unfortunate that a difference is being created between the Defence Minister and the Defence Ministry. The three services are now separate from defence ministry. It is a very sensitive matter with far reaching consequences,” Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters outside Parliament.
Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken reminded Bharatiya Janata Party about the ‘muted response’ during National Democratic Alliance government’s regime to killings of civilians in terrorist attacks and soldiers on the borders.
“BJP talking about killing of Jawans should also remember the muted response and killing of 16 BSF soldiers at Bangladesh borders in April 2001,” Mr Maken wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter today.
The Congress leader further wrote that during ‘NDA (regime from) 1998-2004 in Jammu and Kashmir, total civilians killed (were) one of the highest ever (at) 6115. Average (at) 874 per year. In United Progressive Alliance (government’s regime, the figures are) lowest in last two decades, 15 last year.’
“(During) NDA’s (tenure) 1998-2004, in Jammu and Kashmir, one of the highest number of terror incidents (took place at) 23,603. Average 3372 (per year). In UPA, lowest, in last two decades (at) 220 last year,” Mr Maken pointed out.
He further wrote that these facts ‘shows our strong resolve. BJP policies led to failed Agra summit, Lahore Declaration, Kargil infiltration.”
“I fail to understand that on the question of Pakistan how the policy of UPA government is different from that of the NDA government. The policy of countries with regard to foreign policy is an exercise in continuance. I think it will serve all of us that we discuss issues that are sensitive which has a bearing on morale of forces in a responsible manner and try and rise over political differences,” Mr Tewari, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, added.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath also defended Defence Minister A K Antony over the controversy of two different statements on the killing of five jawans in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
“There is no question of the Defence Minister misleading the nation. He made statement based on facts. The facts which were available at the time when he made the statement. If any facts emerge after that obviously those facts are after the statement,” Mr Kamal Nath told reporters here.
On the question of Yashwant Sinha’s breach of privilege motion against Mr Antony, the Minister said, ‘it will be considered by the Speaker and it is for the Speaker to take a view on this. I personally do not see any breach of privilege in this case.’
Earlier in Parliament, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj asked the government to clarify on why two different statements were issued on the Indian soldiers killings in Poonch sector.
“What is it?… Why is government making such confusing statements?” she asked and demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh explain the issue to the nation.
She said the Defence Minister should apologise and Dr Singh, who was present in the House, must clarify the issue. On this, the entire BJP stood and supported her demand to have an explanation from the Prime Minister.
In the Rajya Sabha also, there was disruption over the ruckus created by the BJP on the issue as the opposition party demanded that Mr Antony apologise to Parliament.
“The Defence Minister has let down the country. He has taken line of Pakistan. He should apologise to Parliament,” BJP member Venkaiah Naidu said.
(UNI)
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