A major controversy erupted on Wednesday (April 9) over Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan's remarks on the Kargil conflict with political parties slamming him and seeking action by the Election Commission which is examining the video of the comments. Election Commission sought details of Khan's remarks and its officials said "strict action" will be taken if he was found guilty of violating the Model Code of Conduct. Khan, who said yesterday that it was 'Muslim soldiers' who had ensured India's victory in the 1999 Kargil war against Pakistan, stood by his comments and questioned why "others are feeling offended". Political parties, including BJP, Congress, JD(U), slammed him for the comments and wanted action by the EC but his party reacted cautiously, saying it could be reflection of some dissatisfaction over "unfulfilled aspirations". At the same time, SP spokesman Shivpal Yadav said the party, including Khan, stood as one for the country. EC officials said they are studying the video of the controversial speech.
"We are examining the 30-minute video speech of Azam Khan on Kargil War and other issues. We have started probe and if he is found guilty, strict action would be taken against him," said a senior poll official in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. BJP asked the EC to take action, saying his remarks were an "insult to the bravery of the soldiers" and the "communal comment by Azam Khan during the elections shows the politics of communalism". Party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said, "It is an attempt to communalise national security" as the SP leader has "not only maligned the Army but also denigrated the sacrifices of soldiers". Trivedi's colleague Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who led a party delegation to the EC, said it was a matter of "great regret" that "secularism is being sacrificed on the alter of communalism" It is certainly harming the country and the real secular spirit of the nation."
In a debate moderated by TIMES NOW's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, panelists -- Abid Rasool Khan, Spokesperson, Congress; Nirmala Sitharaman, National Spokesperson, BJP; Maroof Raza, Strategic Affairs Expert; Maulana Maqsood-ul-Hasan Qasmi, Chairman, Imam Council of India; Ravidas Mehrotra, MLA, Samajwadi Party and Gaurav Bhatia, President, National Legal Cell, SP -- discuss whether, should the poll panel ban Azam Khan from electoral politics for his deplorable comment?
