Controversial Congress leader, Digvijaya Singh who has been accused of making anti-Hindu remarks several times in the past, has stirred a fresh controversy by claiming that more non-Muslims are spying for Pakistan’s intelligence agency- Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), than Muslims.
In an insensitive remark, incapable of having been distorted or misinterpreted in any manner, the senior Congress leader said, “Non-Muslims are spying for Pakistan’s ISI more than Muslims. This should be understood.” Making serious allegations against the Bajrang Dal and the BJP, he said, “Bajrang Dal, Bharatiya Janata Party are taking money from ISI. Attention should be paid to this.”
Singh has been facing sharp criticism ever since he made this controversial remark. Major Surendra Poonia, a former member of the Special Forces of Indian Army, who recently joined the BJP, said, “Will you share proofs that the BJP took money from ISI?? Communal Propagandist & leaders like you are the biggest threat to India’s civilisation! Shame on you.” Former Madhya Pradesh CM, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has also come down heavily on Digvijaya Singh and has said, “He (Digvijaya Singh) gives controversial statements to stay in news. He and his leaders speak Pakistan’s language. Pakistan quotes Rahul Gandhi. As far as BJP-RSS is concerned, the entire world, entire country knows their patriotism.”
The manner in which an attempt has been made to reduce discourse on national security to communal and petty vote bank politics is rather shocking. However, the fact that this statement has been made by Digvijaya Singh makes it a little less surprising. Singh has been guilty of making such insensitive and anti-Hindu remarks in the past as well. After Al-Qaeda chief, Osama Bin Laden had been killed by the US forces, Digvijaya Singh had gone on to say, “However big a criminal one might be, his religious traditions should be respected while burying him.” This statement had drawn a lot of flak at that time. However, it is Digvijaya’s “Osama ji” remark that still haunts the Congress.
Digvijaya had also made highly insensitive remarks after the dastardly 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which 10 Pakistan based terrorist gunned down more than 160 civilians. Digvijaya Singh instead of speaking up against Pakistan and its fundamental organisations, had claimed the attack to be an internal conspiracy of the RSS. The Pakistan based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba had claimed responsibility for the attack with the Indian forces even arresting Ajmal Kasab, one of the 10 terrorists. Even after drawing a lot of flak from several quarters for his grossly insensitive and anti-Hindu remarks, Singh does not seem to have learnt any lessons as he has not mend his ways and continues to make such remarks.