Cong giving terrorism communal shape: Advani

The BJP alleged the Congress-led UPA government was giving a communal shape to terrorism.

The BJP on Wednesday alleged the Congress-led UPA government was giving a communal shape to terrorism by not executing Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru.

Senior BJP leader L K Advani said though the lower court had sentenced Afzal to death and the High Court and Supreme Court upheld it, the Congress-led UPA government was not executing him because of 8220;fear of losing votes8221;, Advani alleged at a 8216;Vijay Sankalp8217; rally in Ranchi.

Had the convict been a tribal, a Dalit or a Hindu the sentence would have been carried out by now, Advani said and added but in the case of Afzal it was not being done as he was a Muslim and hailed from Jammu and Kashmir.

8220;The person had conspired to attack Parliament 8230;nine securitymen lost their lives 8230; but the sentence still has not yet carried out. Is this not giving a communal shape to terrorism? Terrorism has no religion 8230; a terrorist is a criminal.8221; Accusing the SIMI of triggering bomb blasts in different parts of the country, Advani claimed that during the NDA rule the terrorists came from Pakistan while now they come from within.

8220;The UPA government is unable to tackle terrorism,8221; Advani alleged.

Advani also quoted a reported statement by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh two years ago saying 8220;I was stunned when the prime minister said the country had limited resources and Muslims, not minorities, should be given first priority.

8220;I would also like the welfare of Muslims. I would also like the welfare of every citizen of the country but an economist speaking like that!8221; the BJP prime ministerial candidate said.

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8220;What I understand is, priority of the limited resources should be given to the poor, irrespective of Muslims, Christians or whosoever it be,8221; Advani said.

Advani said Kerala had a student subsidy programme under which Muslim students were given Rs 14,000 per year while Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe students received only Rs 240 per annum.

8220;Look at the huge margin. What kind of policy is this? Is this way one should rule?8221; said the former deputy prime minister.