Govt to make statement on Antulay's disruptive remark

Union Minister for Minority Affairs A R Antulay’s controversial statement, raising doubt on the circumstances in which ATS chief Hemant Karkare was killed in the night of Nov 26 during the terror strike at Mumbai, has sent the government on back foot, despite clarifying the statement as entirely his own and the Congress party does not endorse such views.

However, amidst uproar in both the Houses on Thursday raked up by opposition demand to sack Antulay from Cabinet and a statement from Prime Minister on it, the Leader of the Lok Sabha and Union External Affairs Minister intervened and said the government would respond to it before the House adjourned next week.

“We will make a statement either tomorrow or before the end of the session on December 23,” he said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan today virtually denied initiating an investigation into the killing of Hemant Karkare, saying, “There is no need to probe Karkare’s death as we stand by the police report.”

While in the Lok Sabha, BJP slammed Antulay for his careless remarks as it has not only sparked a controversy in the country but have also provided an opportunity to Pakistan to divert the world’s attention.

The Minister, who was looking unapologetic for his remarks, responded in the Parliament, “I owe explanation to none. I have not said anything which has embarrassed the government and the Congress party.”

He parroted his yesterday’s remarks that he only wanted to know who had misled Karkare and his colleagues to take a wrong direction towards Cama Hospital instead of Taj and Oberoi-Trident Hotels, and Nariman House where the firing was taking place.

In an attempt to paint a different picture he said, “There is more than what meets the eyes.” Karkare was investigating some cases which involved some non-Muslim names, he added.

His account was an apparent reference to the Malegaon blasts case in which Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt. Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit were among the 11 persons arrested by the ATS as of now.