Pragya takes back words, says sorry
Bhopal, Apr 19 (UNI) Facing all-round condemnation, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Bhopal parliamentary constituency candidate Pragya Singh Thakur late Friday withdrew her controversial remarks vis-a-vis Ashoka Chakra-recipient 1982-batch Indian Police Service officer and Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare who attained martyrdom after being shot thrice in the chest while combating perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
“Mr Karkare is a martyr. I am of the opinion that my comments strengthened the nation’s enemies. I retract my words and tender an apology,” she averred in a media statement.
The objectionable remarks were made while Ms Thakur was addressing BJP workers here on Thursday. Even the saffron camp’s top brass distanced itself from her comments.
Under attack on Sadhvi's comments , BJP distanced itself from Pragya's statement and issued clarification saying that it ocnsiders Karkare as martyr.
What Pragya commented on former Mumbai ATS Chief late Hemant Karkare:
" I had cursed the former Anti-Terrorist Squad, who died in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, for treating me “very badly” while she was in custody in 2008 Malegaon blast case. "
“Hemant Karkare falsely implicated me. He died of his karma. I told him, he will be destroyed. I told him his entire dynasty will be erased. Maine kaha tera [Karkare] sarvanash hoga,” she said.
The IPS Association tweeted in response to her comment, “Ashok Chakra awardee late Sri Hemant Karkare, IPS made the supreme sacrifice fighting terrorists. Those of us in uniform condemn the insulting statement made by a candidate and demand that sacrifices of all our martyrs be respected."