Tamil Nadu

BJP not indulging in “acts of communalisation”

SALEM: The Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday said that his party was not indulging in any “acts of communalisation” in the guise of fighting terrorism. “Our party is not against any religion but against terrorism, which of course has no religion,” he said.

He was here to attend the two-day executive and general council meetings of the State BJP, which began on Friday.

“Terrorists spare none. Many Muslim lives have been lost in their attacks not only in Kashmir but in other places too. What we insist is that the fight against terrorism should never be politicised,” said Mr. Prasad, also party’s Tamil Nadu In-charge. Asked about his remarks against the Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia Mushirul Hasan offering legal aid to two students, who are suspected to have links with a terrorist module that planted bombs, Mr. Prasad said that the involvement of a Vice Chancellor in a contentious issue was “quite disturbing.”

To a query whether it was a crime to offer legal aid to the two students, the senior leader said that BJP was not against them getting legal aid from the government directly to fight their cases in the court of law and prove their innocence. “But we will oppose the involvement of a Vice Chancellor of a Central university in any cases that concern national security.”

The BJP also was deeply concerned with the ‘soft’ approach of the UPA-led government against terrorism.

In Tamil Nadu, both AIADMK and BJP were having common views on a whole range of issues such as Ramar Sethu, terrorism, Amarnath land etc. “However the issue of alliance will be left to the Central leadership.

Crucial issues of national and State importance are being taken up for discussion in the two-day executive and general council meetings of the State unit of the BJP.

The party had decided to target the youth who form the major chunk of voters today in the country through special programmes.

The grassroots level participation would be encouraged and activated in areas where it remained dormant.

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