Daijiworld Media Network - Nagpur
Nagpur, Apr 28: Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar has ignited a controversy by questioning the reported targeting of Hindu victims in the recent Pahalgam terror attack. He raised doubts about the alleged religious profiling, asking if terrorists would have the time to ascertain the victims' religious identities.
"The government should take responsibility for the Pahalgam Terrorist Attack. The government is saying that terrorists killed people after asking them about their religion. Do terrorists have time for all this? Some people say that this did not happen. Terrorists have no caste or religion. Catch those who are responsible and take action. This is the sentiment of the country," he initially stated.
However, Wadettiwar later issued a clarification, stating, "The main purpose of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam is to create a rift between two religions, disrupt the unity of India and create instability in the country. Strictest action should be taken against terrorists and those who support them. Congress will support whatever action the government takes. It is imperative to break such anti-national tendencies for the integrity and national security of India. India is one and will remain one.”
He emphasized that the Congress party strongly condemns the attack, attributing it to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, and demanded decisive action against the perpetrators and the eradication of terrorism.
"The demand of all ordinary Indians, including myself, today is the complete destruction of the terrorists who are committing cowardly attacks on innocent citizens. The cowardly attack on innocent civilians by terrorists in Pahalgam is extremely saddening and infuriating. I hope that our brave soldiers will definitely give a befitting reply to this cowardly attack," he said.
Wadettiwar also criticized the Maharashtra government, particularly Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Mahayuti ministers, for what he perceived as a "credit war" over the evacuation of tourists from Kashmir.
He specifically referenced Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske's statement about Eknath Shinde facilitating air travel for those who had never flown, questioning the timing and appropriateness of such claims. "What is this time, has no one realised who should take what credit? Is it more important to make tourists happy or to take credit for bringing them back in a plane?" he asked.
"Tourists from Maharashtra died in Pahalgam, some were injured, some are stranded. Instead of giving them courage, there was a competition to see who would get there first. The Deputy Chief Minister visited Kashmir without any need. Further, the Shinde Sena MP told reporters how much they have done for tourists from Maharashtra. All the ministers and MPs in the Mahayuti government have abandoned their sense of responsibility! At least in such incidents, stop marketing yourself," he observed.