concern national
As
opposition
parties
turned on the heat and
demanded a judicial probe
into the Bhopal encounter, the
BJP put forward arguments
that hinted at either an
inability to understand the
basic values, legal foundations
and commitment to rule
of law that gives a state its
moral legitimacy or a willful
subversion of institutional
propriety to propagate a
macho variety of nationalism.
“All the eight terrorists
killed were involved in
heinous acts, including bomb
blasts, murder and dacoity.
Then why should any political
party criticize such an incident
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan consoles wailing family member of head
instead of hailing the success
warder, Ramashankar Yadav in Bhopal
of the security personnel?”
“The Left parties, the
later ordered a CID probe into the encounter but not before he
Congress and the AAP are always looking to attack the morale of
suggested that those gunned down were “dreaded terrorists
the armed forces, the morale of police forces,” BJP spokesperson
who could have wreaked devastation if they had been fully
GVL Narsimha Rao was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
successful in escaping.”
This is unbelievable. Is chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
“Certain politicians are making a hue and cry for these
running a vigilante administration in Madhya Pradesh? Is his
terrorists but not lending a word of solace for the martyred
home minister Bhupendra Singh, who is in charge of internal
jawans. I condemn such leaders and the dirty politics they are
security and must be answerable if there were any procedural
doing. But for the government and the public the nation and the
lapses in the killings, unaware that the state cannot act as a
state are foremost and I appeal everyone to stop playing dirty
bully?
politics. Patriotism is important.”
“Our police tracked the absconding SIMI men in a short time
The CM must understand that patriotic fervor cannot rescue
and neutralized them bravely. Nothing more needs to be said
or strengthen a nation if its institutions are weak. If the police
on it. The encounter is unquestionable and it will not be probed
circumvents legal provisions and dishes out instant justice and
by NIA. They will investigate only the jail break and how it
if ruling party release statements supporting the act, then the
happened,” Singh told Hindustan Times.
biggest blow is dealt to the institutions. And when that happens,
The Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivarj Singh Chouhan
a slippery slope opens.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju slammed those raising questions
on the loopholes of the encounter story. “It is not good to raise
questions on security forces dealing with terrorists, just on the
basis of videos,” he told media giving counter to the encounter
spoof by the opposition. “We are facing challenges in border
with ceasefire violation. Our forces are responding,” he said.
The minister must be reminded that “facing challenges in
border” do not justify subversion of legal procedures. Such an
exception sets dangerous precedent. Every detail that has been
made public so far on the Bhopal jailbreak and encounter deaths
do not add up to make a coherent story. As long as that is the
case, watchdogs in democracy would continue to ask tough
questions from the administrations, whether the ruling party
likes it or not.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh with
Feedback on:Union MoS for Home Affairs of India Kiren Rijiju
[email protected]
November 16-30, 2016 The Dayafter
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