Date:24/04/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/24/stories/2003042404681100.htm

National

BJP objects to Sonia writing to Amarinder

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI APRIL 23. The Bharatiya Janata Party has objected to the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, writing to the Punjab Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh, suggesting that his Government take the initiative to repair an ancient gurdwara in Baghdad, damaged during the recent war.

On April 15, Ms. Gandhi had written to Mr. Singh pointing out that a "historic gurdwara in Baghdad" had suffered "damages as a result of the recent war in Iraq" and the Punjab Government "should take the initiative" to carry out the "necessary repairs and reconstruction of this ancient sacred monument."

Today, the BJP spokesperson, V.K. Malhotra, objected to this saying that "the matter was not an internal domestic affair ... if Ms. Gandhi was concerned or worried about the gurdwara she should have written to the Government of India."

He pointed out that even during the United States' attack on Afghanistan, some temple and gurudwaras were destroyed. But the Union Government was the proper authority to take up the matter with the Afghanistan Government.

Mr. Malhotra charged that Ms. Gandhi had given the issue a "religious twist". She wrote the letter to the Punjab Chief Minister, not to any other Chief Minister.