India ‘fit’ PM says Varun Gandhi’s remarks unfortunate

INDIAN ELECTION NEWS: On the issue of Varun Gandhi’s communal speech, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh breaks his silence over the fresh effort of communalising politics in India on Thursday condemning the remarks that allegedly sought to target the minority community.

Manmohan Singh talking to media at the Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan said, “It is unfortunate if Varun Gandhi had made these comments.”

Varun Gandhi is a BJP candidate from Pilibhit and is in a midst of a raging controversy over his alleged hate speech against minority.

In his brief to the press Manmohan Singh also sought to dismiss any apprehensions regarding his health. He said that he was fit to campaign for the party in the General Election.

Manmohan Singh is recovering after a cardiac surgery on January 24.

He further said: “The third front is our rival. It should not be underestimated. “The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) will win and I am confident that people will vote for UPA.

Labels: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Varun Gandhi, BJP, Indian Election, India News

Custom Search

Read More

March 19, 2009 | 0 comments

Varun Gandhi plays Hindutva card

INDIAN ELECTION NEWS: Varun Gandhi sings a different song. A day after the Election Commission filed a case against Varun Gandhi for his communal remarks, he said that he is the victim of a political conspiracy. Varun mentioned that he is well aware of his roots as a proud Gandhi, an Indian and is also a Hindu in equal measure.

Briefing to the media Varun Gandhi said that there was an effort to malign his faith. He told to the press that anyone attempting to identify with Hinduism was inevitably branded communal.

In his own words: "I am a victim of political conspiracy." Varun Gandhi, son of sitting Pilibhit MP and former central minister Maneka Gandhi said this on tuesday.

Gandhi added, "Nothing I have said was to incite anybody. There is a rigorous attempt to malign my faith," he said, adding "each time anyone tries to identify with Hindusim, he is being branded communal."

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

He also said that he is a pro-India and he is not against anybody.

BJP spokesperson, Ravi Shankar Prasad, later on the day, said, "We disapprove and disassociate ourselves from the statements made by Varun Gandhi."



Youtube video of Varun Gandhi communal remarks

Labels: Varun Gandhi, Varun Gandhi Apology, Varun Gandhi Speech, Indian Election, Election Commission

Custom Search

Read More

March 18, 2009 | 1 comments

If my comments have hurt anyone, I apologise: Varun Gandhi

INDIAN ELECTION NEWS: There was a communal speech by Varun Gandhi, son of Sanjay Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi, a day before in an election campaign in Pilibhit from where he is being fielded on a BJP ticket. Today Varun Gandhi has issued an apology while clarifying that he did not say anything against any particular community.

Varun Gandhi denied that his speech was communal. He said that he was speaking against anti social elements. In his area two girls had been raped and people were frightened. His main motive behind the speech was to bolster the people’s confidence.

Varun Gandhi apologized by saying, “If my comments have hurt anyone, I apologise.”

Varun in the recent political drama is in the eye of a storm for making inflammatory remarks with communal overtones which saw the Election Commission slap a notice on the him and his party the BJP.

This clarification of Varun Gandhi comes on the heels of the District Magistrate of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh (India) filing an FIR against him. The EC had directed Ups Chief Election Officer to file a case against Varun and issue notice to his party for the communal remarks against a particular religion.

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

The FIR of this communal speech of Varun Gandhi has been filed under Section 153 A of the Indian Penal code that pertains to spreading enmity between two communities and this section is non-bailable.

The remarks of 29 years old Varun Gandhi were, "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." He said this in his rabid and vitriolic speech against members of a minority community in a raised voice.

Labels: Varun Gandhi, Varun Gandhi Communal Speech, Indian Election, BJP

Custom Search

Read More

March 17, 2009 | 0 comments