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Varun’s hate-Muslim speech makes BJP squirm

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Express news service

Posted: Mar 17, 2009 at 1018 hrs IST

Lucknow/New Delhi Varun Gandhi, son of Menaka Gandhi and BJP candidate from Pilibhit, found himself at the receiving end of both his own party and the Congress for alleged communal remarks which also prompted the Election Commission to seek a report on his speeches from the Pilibhit district administration.

“This is not a hand (Congress symbol), it is the power of the lotus (BJP symbol). It will cut the head of... Jai Shri Ram,” a media report quoted Varun Gandhi (29) as telling an election meeting in Pilibhit, his attack directed at the Muslims. At another meeting, the report said, he said: “If anyone raises a finger towards Hindus or if someone thinks that Hindus are weak and leaderless, if someone thinks that these leaders lick our boots for votes, if anyone raises a finger towards Hindus, then I swear on Gita that I will cut that hand.”

The Congress, headed by Varun’s aunt Sonia Gandhi, was quick to condemn the remarks as “unethical and against law”. “It is condemnable... He (Varun) is associated with a party which has this (anti-minority) ideology and culture,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters in New Delhi.

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi snubbed Varun, saying his speech is “a manifestation of his family’s past Congress culture” and that his outburst “did not reflect BJP’s traditional culture”.

The Pilibhit district administration said it is waiting for Varun’s reply to a notice on the speech before taking action “if necessary”. While officials claim to have sent the notice to him three days ago, Varun’s election coordinator Yogendra Singh Gangwar told 'The Indian Express' over phone from Pilibhit that they were yet to receive it. The only notice received so far, Gangwar said, was about rallies for which they had not got permission. “We have submitted the permission letters to the district administration,” he said.

Asked about the meeting in Banderkheda where the alleged remarks were made, Gangwar said: “Varun Gandhi may have said a lot of things but TV channels seem to be showing it in a distorted manner. We met the District Magistrate but there was no mention of this incident.” Chief Electoral Officer A K Bishnoi said he was waiting for the district administration’s report.

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Discretion is the better part of valor by Nabeel on 25 Apr 2009

I am a Muslim

Watcher's view! by Indian watcher! on 11 Apr 2009

Well i'm a muslim i do not think varun gandhi had said anythin wrong since 3/4 of hindus these days happened to think muslims are bad and hate hindus, other religions ..because they think muslims are terrorists sadists killers..But i'm being a true muslim listen up all my brothers islam is not at all a harmful religion neither do muslims..those terrorists are so called muslims to ruin islam name...oh muslims first of all before condemning anyone's speech make them aware muslims are not bad..islam is the ideal religion for humanity..if you show me a single error in kura'n i'd convert to your religion for sure..

Watcher 's view! by Watcher! on 11 Apr 2009

I love hindus more than muslims being a muslim ..i'm a true muslim who offers 5 time prayers a day..muslims all the first gotto educated at schools..since so called muslims who is longing for power and name brainwash uneducated muslims..muslims should be educated..Well to be honest those who bomb kill others are not muslims..they are so called muslims though! No true muslim would hate nor harm others..i respect my religion as well as all religions but i belive in almighty allah he's the superior..allahu akbar (god is great)

No wonder Indian Muslims hate Hindus by Mrs. Faisal on 20 Mar 2009

What Varun Gandhi has said just brings to light the true feelings of Hindus towards Muslims in India which is also reflected in the comments many Hindus have given here. I heard on Indian TV that the Mumbai Hotel attacker explained that he did what he did because Muslims were living under appalling conditions in India. I know who will be responsible next time if something bad happens. Hindu leaders hate speech is the reason for the trouble in India.

No wonder Indian Muslims hate Hindus by N.V.SANKARAN on 23 Mar 2009

But, Hindus do not hate Muslims just because they are Muslims. That is why India had 4 presidents, several cabinet ministers and eminent personalities in almost all fields like sports, entertainment(you name it) from the Muslim community. All Hindus, even the hardcore ones respect those great Indian Muslims. Nobody prevents the Indian Muslims from practising their religion, observe their Ramadhan fast, pursue their education or career as long as they do not rub on the wrong side of the Majority. Gujarat riots would not have taken place had not Godhra train burning happened. Though Babri Masjid demolition was very unfortunate, it would not have blown to this level, had the Indian Muslims realized the fact that Ayodhya is as sacred a place for Hindus as Mecca

Hindu / Muslim President by Afzal Ahmed on 30 Mar 2009

So glad to read what Mr Sankaran has written. I donot think that hindus hate muslim or muslims hate hindues. I know my forfathers were hindues. Most of the muslims in this country have faith in Islam and live a hindu life. we all know that. I myself dont know how it happened, all my friends are from different faith. Yes, if Ayodhya is like mecca for hindues then the indian muslims should let the temple be built and in return the hindus should built a mosque nearby for the muslims. Every nuke and corner there is a mosque, temple and a church. But we should all stop looking at hindu and muslim presidents and see them as our president. In Criket does it matter for us who hit the runs gambier / pathan. As long as our country win.

reply to babri demolition by Parin on 03 May 2009

I do not see any relevance in demolishing a mosque to build a temple. For a muslim a mosque is as sacred as a temple is to any hindu. If no one prevents muslims from practising their religion, then why did they demolish the babri? By demolishing the mosque, half the sanctity of Ayodhya has been destroyed. Demolishing a mosque is not only a threat to indian secularity but to the Almighty himself. Hence there is no possible explanation for that. It is a CRIME and demands punishment. By the way, where is "ram mandir"? I guess Mr LK Advani is too busy at the moment to think about that.

Reply to Babri demolition by sreenivas on 15 May 2010

Why do you cry about one babri masjid being demolished. Muslim invaders have demolished hundreds of thousands of temples, churches and synagogues and constructed Mosques all over the world.

about the godhra riots by Tanya Shukla on 03 May 2009

Mr Sankaran, there is no evidence as such which proves that the train in godhra was burnt by muslims. It was an allegation with no solid proof. If you see it isn't possible to just blow up an entire train just in fluke of anger without any prior preparations. Hence I do not believe that a mob of muslims blew up the entire train. This was a political movement to cause further instability amongst hindus and muslims in order to gain votes. I am strongly against such leaders and believe that they should not be given the right to stand for elections.

Varun by Kishore on 18 Mar 2009

Firebrand - maybe he is what Hindus need to start getting some respect from minorities. After all minorities conduct themselves along communal lines so why is there media outrage then. Since when are words more dangerous than bombs and stones.

reply by Tanya on 03 May 2009

Firstly, with leaders like him, hindus will have the same image as the taleban militants sharing the same extremist views. A leader represents the society. He needs to promise security to the entire indian society and not just the hindus. And Every indian is technically a hindu, a word derived from "Indus/hind." Which is why we are hindustanis. Its not the minorities that conduct themselves communally, in fact, its the politicians who do that for their own benefit which is seeking votes. His words are definitely more dangerous than bombs and stones as they reflect the future of our nation which from his speech manifests a roar of communal violence attacking the integrity and secularity of our nation. He shall be condemned by every Indian who wants to see India progress and reach phenomenal heights and not get trapped in the web of communalism used as a weapon to seek votes.

Varun Gandhi sayings by P Rajaratnam on 18 Mar 2009

Politicians must doubly check their tongues.One wrong word is all enough to create a roit and loss of innocent lifes.If Varun has not said , he should reiterate what actually been said. It is evident, Varun himself is suffering from an inferiority complex and hence such outbursts.

Varun's alleged communal comments by A.Gaju on 18 Mar 2009

Selective reporting can distort the truth. Media can, nay, do reoprt subjectively. In this case as in the case of Modi the media might have distorted varun's speech. One should wait and read varun's reply to EC's notice and the final verdict by the EC. What u have reported does't contain anything objectionable.

OPEN TALK by TT01 on 18 Mar 2009

FINALLY -- SOMEONE WHO HAS THE BALLS TO CALL THE CULPRITS THE CULPRITS. Not hiding behind the politico talk, this guy has seen the facts and talked. Nothing is wrong in seeing today's scene of muslims around the world and making a true comment. Why the muslims are the only one not happy in non muslims nations - What about the non muslims in muslims worlds - Why no one fights for them? Are teh muslims more tortured then the non muslism in muslims world? How many hindus has india taken back from Muslims countries like Afganistan?

Varun Gandi the future pm by sivanarain on 17 Mar 2009

Varun is still young and not matured. Let him talk what ever he wanted to say. He is free to talk now, then only he will mature and he is the best candidate for future prime minister.

et tu Varun Ganghi? by M.V.Muthu on 17 Mar 2009

Doctoring of tapes is nothing unusal especially when the rest of the media, especially the TV Channels, are baying at each other to create sensation, have remained. If he had meant terrorists and not any particular community or religion and if he apologises for his misconcieved, poor eloquance, the matter should rest. In any case, how severely different is this compared to that campaigns and speaches of another regional part in Maharashtra, who wanted all Indian Citizens hailing from north and north-eastern regions should leave Mumbai?

hindus just talk by sunny on 17 Mar 2009

let there be no law

speech by prakash on 17 Mar 2009

varun speech has been mis ,represented and mis quoted because by the word Hindu'' he meant any body residing in hindustan which includies any muslim resides in hindustan.

I know u wont print it by Ajay on 17 Mar 2009

A rare brave act by a political leader is how I would describe it. If you cannot call a crook, well a crook, then you cannot really act against that crook. Political correctness cannot fix the civil order in a community. It is a shame that even media like yours is reporting it as if Varun has done something wrong. He has called out the goons belonging to a cult by their correct name. I have seen it many times that alady cant walk by feeling safe and without getting filthy comments from such goons. Atleast someone have the balls among Indian politicians and journalists.

Son of the soil by himalaya on 17 Mar 2009

It is the son of the soil telling openly the truth, the pain he feels in his heart must be after visiting the camps of Kashmir pandits on Delhi highway after being driven away from their ancestorials land of Kashmir and the 26/11 event and its backgrounds.

Let the truth be spoken by Ris on 17 Mar 2009

Well Said varun, we are with you.

Varun is ok by Vicky on 17 Mar 2009

We should not make a hue on all these he is a very young politician and willmature in the days to come.We love Varun as person quite nice chapWish him all the best in future.BJP should come up in his support as he is very innocent

Then Let him Mature First by Khozim on 17 Mar 2009

If he is contesting an election and you believe he is very innocent and will mature, then he cannot be trusted for even a sigle vote. We need people will strong determination to lead India. Let him mature first and then judge him then.

CHEAP TACTICS AHEAD OF POLLS by K Sundar on 17 Mar 2009

It is election time and the BJP is doing what it does best to whip up passions and emotions ahead of the elections, fuel hatred, create riots and reap the electoral harvest. The BJP is in a very dicey situation in Uttar Pradesh. It knows that it is on a weak wicket there and it will be hard pressed to even repeat its 2004 performance of 9 Lok sabha seats given the exit of Kalyan Singh and literally moribund Organisation. Given this scenario, it has no other alternative, but to stoop to such third rate tactics to win votes. One cannot easily forget the communal CDs that were distributed during the last assembly elections in UP and yet the BJP came a cropper in the elections. This time it will be no different and the BJP's tactics are not going to work. What is a matter of concern is the totally inactive Election Commission which just fails to take appropriate action against the offenders.

What is the state of the congress? by Deep on 17 Mar 2009

Going by your logic, Congress should be able to get seats only in Delhi!!!

Short-cut to fame by Ram on 17 Mar 2009

Varun learned the shor-cut to fame from Advani and Modi. See, now he has made it to the front of national dailies. If Advan and Modi got supporters, it is sure that he will have followers too. There is no other way to get the popular suport so quickly.

Varun’s hate-Muslim speech by Anand on 17 Mar 2009

BJP proved its worth as a national aprty. It does not need this kind of leaders. Both the main national parties should compete with each other for gatehering positive votes. Otherwise the void will be filled by regional parties, some of which have no national interests.

CIA OPERATIVES IN INDIA by n.krishna on 17 Mar 2009

Like last parliamentary election CIA operatives are working overtime for ccngress party. Apparantly the audio of the CD was doctored. This calls for investigation of foreign interference. Haywood who escaped from India was a CIA agent and his escape was facilitated by Manmohan Singh.

CIA and your problem by Rajesh on 17 Mar 2009

R u from a mental asylum?

He is still bacha in politicals! by Murtuza Moosavi on 17 Mar 2009

His outcome is difference of internal family disputes. If his father today alive he should answer his speech. Like father like Son. There is no new in that like Varun so many shaky politicians came and gone it is nothing new for muslims. We never fear for such speach. This is political motivated and the mistakes of his mother and BJP. Jai Hind... Mruutza Moosavi

Antulay remarks are secular but Varuns are communal by Shallabh on 17 Mar 2009

What a joke these hindus deserve this. when a person speaks the truth about hindus they are being slapped from the last 1000 years, it is communal.Great work done by the channel who sold its credentials in Cash vor Votes scam when Secular amar singh and mulayam was involved.But it is secular.

Poor Chap by Amit on 17 Mar 2009

I think for votes he forgot his grand paaa's orgins. Shame on thes kind of puppets........

shameful act once again by Aaruni Upadhyay on 17 Mar 2009

What else can this party offer to India. Just a scratch here and there and its communal blood oozes out.

jai shree ram by gurudutt on 17 Mar 2009

we r proud to have varun(Indian), keep it up jai shree ram

Silly victories for gods by Rajesh on 17 Mar 2009

Why, did he lose any battle that you are looking for his jai (victory). Real God/s do not need jai as He has no equivalent enemy. Silly thinking eople, keep shuting Ram jai and Alla jai and kill each other. sic people with rotten mind.

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