“I say whatever I say in public, never in private.” Congress’ Salman Khurshid on his reported statement on Bangladesh

New Delhi [India], August 7 (ANI): Congress senior leader Salman Khurshid on Wednesday refused to be drawn further into controversy after it was reported that he had said that violent protests like Bangladesh are possible in India. When questioned v by reporters over the statement the senior Congress leader said, “I say whatever I say in public, never in private.”

However, the BJP has severely criticised Salman Khurshid over his reported comments.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla said, “Congress party says that it stands with the government of India as far as the issue of Bangladesh is concerned because this is not a political issue and no politics should be done but their leader Salman Khurshid tried to provoke and incite the people of India.”

He further said, “This is another instance of Congress party putting rajneeti above Rashtraneeti. Is Salman Khurshid trying to undermine Indian democracy? Is Salman Khurshid trying to undermine Indian armed forces? This is the same Congress party that has despised ‘deshvirodh’ when trying to oppose Modi”.

“What they mean is that the attacks that take place on Hindus of Bangladesh should take place in India. Today Rahul Gandhi must tell us: does he stand by the statement of Salman Khurshid? Is this not an undermining of the Indian democratic institutions? Is this not taking a typical stereotypical opinion of India’s population? In the recent past, Congress and its allies were hailing Bangladesh, saying that Bangladesh is ahead of us in different segments and now the same people are saying that nothing is right in Bangladesh. The double face of Congress is out yet,” he added.

On Congress leader Salman Khurshid’s statement, BJP MP Sambit Patra said, “He said it during a book release. From Congress’ side, he warned that protests and arson could break out in India; what happened in Bangladesh could happen in India. So many other leaders, including Shashi Tharoor, were present there and they in a way supported that statement. Rahul Gandhi, whenever he went abroad, used to meet many people secretly and speak against India; now we are getting to know what his intention was.”

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma said, “The wishes of these people are not going to be fulfilled. These people are also planning for riots to happen in India. They have also tried to incite violence in different protests. but the administration here is strong and knows how to answer.”

Earlier, reacting to the statement of Salman Khurshid, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said, “I want the Ministry of External Affairs to remain in constant touch with the leaders of the opposition parties. Keep providing us the information about the steps the Government of India is taking. We are also getting information from various sources. If there is a dialogue between the government and the opposition parties, then we will also be able to convey our information to them.”