BJP slams Shashi Tharoor, plans 3-day programme

Keeping up with its “ideology of nationalism”, the BJP has decided to take on the Opposition Congress, in particular its senior leader Shashi Tharoor, for insulting martyrs days before the “Shaheedi Divas”, March 23, of the freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. Mr Tharoor had compared JNU student Kanhaiya Kumar with Bhagat Singh and his party distanced itself from his remarks. BJP leaders will sing Mera Rang De Basanti Chola, a patriotic song largely associated with Bhagat Singh’s martyrdom, on March 24, which is also the day the nation will celebrate Holi. A day after, the party will observe “Aakrosh Divas” against the Congress’ “mindset” and will also burn effigies. On March 23, party leaders across the country will pay tribute to the three martyrs.

Seeking an apology from the Congress and Mr Tharoor, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said the Opposition party may have distanced itself from its MP’s comments but it was not adequate as he had not withdrawn it or expressed regret.

“What is Congress doing For 12 years, it opposed Modi, for two years, it opposed development (under Modi), then it gave respectability to anti-India slogans raised in JNU and now insulting martyrs has become the identity of the Congress under Rahul Gandhi,” the minister said.

He alleged that the Congress chose to insult martyrs two days before their martyrdom day, a reference to hanging of Rajguru and Sukhdev besides Singh on March 23, 1931 by the British. Mr Tharoor said so with an eye on the Kerala Assembly polls, Mr Javadekar alleged.

Referring to reports that Kanhaiya’s posters have been used by some Congress leaders in Assam polls, he said it showed that the Opposition party had no role model left.