Journalism of Courage
The differences between the government and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on the Batla House encounter have come to the fore once again at a time when the party is working overtime to woo the Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. A day after Singh raked up the issue calling the encounter fake,Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday said it was a genuine encounter and ruled out re-opening the case.
Asked about the Congress general secretarys claim that the encounter was fake,he said that has been Singhs view from the very beginning and he respected his view. But after looking into the matter,after I took over as Home Minister,we came to the conclusion that the encounter was a genuine encounter, he told reporters.
The Home Minister went on to add that every authority which has looked into the case has concluded that it was a genuine encounter.
So,while there is a difference of opinion,I think the matter rests where it stands today. I dont think there is any scope for reopening that matter, he said. His comments came a day after Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi faced protests in Azamgarh from where those killed in the 2008 encounter hailed.
As regarding the Election Commissions direction to hold back implementation of the 4.5 per cent sub quota for backward minorities in the poll-bound states,Chidambaram said while he may not agree with the poll panels decision,it was not a setback for the government. He was asked whether the EC direction was a setback for the government.
He said the decision was taken and it was notified well before the election schedule was announced and the model code came into effect. There was nothing wrong with it,he added.
Chidambaram said as regarding admissions and appointments under the new 4.5 per cent quota,the process might have started but it will not be completed before March 6 the counting day.
By the time admissions are made or appointments are made,6th of March will be behind us and therefore the notification will operate in admissions made and appointments made in 2012, Chidambaram said.
