NEW DELHI: Union minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday slammed Congress for “not doing anything” to punish those involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Taking a dig at the grand old party, Goyal said that the then government did the job of “serving biryani” to Ajmal Kasab.
“During Congress’ time, the terrorists had attacked the very hotel we are standing in. People died here. However, Congress didn’t do anything to punish those involved. The one who was caught, Kasab, was also served Biryani. Those who attacked our country, this is PM Modi’s resolve to bring them to justice, and they get punished. Every Indian citizen is proud of PM Modi that those involved would be punished on this land,” Goyal told ANI.
He also took aim at the INDIA bloc and Shiv Sena (UBT), accusing them of “appeasement politics.”
“Sanjay Raut will defend a person who is Muslim even if the person is involved in a huge crime. Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena engages in appeasement politics more than Congress. The INDI alliance can’t think beyond appeasement politics and doesn’t have positive thinking. PM Modi, on the other hand, is ending Naxalism. Similarly, we will not spare terrorists,” he added.
Opposition leaders, while welcoming the extradition, urged fair trial for Rana. NCP (SP) leader Majeed Memon called it an achievement but stressed the need for a fair trial. “Tahawwur Rana extradition is indeed an achievement for the Indian govt. The US took too long a time. He should have been expedited earlier. We have to celebrate that we will be able to do justice in this matter now. This case is important for the whole world. We will have to ensure that we have a fair trial from international standards. I am sure the investigation team would do well if he is lawfully investigated and trial is conducted in a fair manner.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi demanded the death penalty for Rana in a public square, calling it a deterrent to those who wish to harm India.
“After a long wait of 16 years, he is being extradited to India…He should be sentenced to death in a crowded square in Mumbai so that people who look at India with evil intentions will be left shaken,” Chaturvedi said.
“I am hopeful that Hafiz Saeed, David Headley will also be brought to India and will be given strict punishment,” she added.
The Congress also called for the death penalty but warned the BJP not to politicise the issue. “Rana should be quickly brought to India and hanged. A person who attacked Mumbai and took so many lives should not be spared. This matter should not be politicised,” Wadettiwar told ANI.
“BJP should not use Rana’s name for votes in the upcoming elections. Had they managed to bring Dawood Ibrahim, it would have been a bigger achievement for BJP,” he added.
Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian, is one of the accused in 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which killed 166 people.
