The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized former Home Minister P. Chidambaram following his remarks concerning the recent Delhi blast, accusing the Congress leader of providing "cover fire" to terrorists. Chidambaram's statements, made in the wake of the bomb blast near Lal Quila Metro station, which killed 12 and injured several others, questioned the government's focus on cross-border terrorism and highlighted the potential role of "homegrown terrorists".
Chidambaram's comments came after the arrest of several individuals, including educated professionals, in connection with the Delhi blast. He reiterated his long-held concern about the rise of "homegrown terrorism" in India, a concern he previously voiced during the Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament. He questioned why the government was assuming the terrorists came from Pakistan, stating there was no evidence to support this claim. He emphasized the need to examine the circumstances that lead Indian citizens, even educated ones, to become terrorists.
The BJP has reacted sharply to Chidambaram's remarks. The BJP has accused the Congress leader of attempting to give a "clean chit" to Pakistan and sounding like a spokesperson for Islamabad. They argue that Chidambaram's statements undermine national security and provide ammunition to Pakistan to deny their involvement in terrorist activities. Some BJP leaders have accused Chidambaram and the Congress party of "always bending over backwards to protect the enemy".
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also responded strongly to Chidambaram's statements. Shah detailed the evidence gathered by investigating agencies, asserting that the attackers in a prior incident had Pakistani voter IDs and that forensic reports confirmed the weapons seized matched those used in the attack. He stated that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested individuals who provided shelter and food to the attackers.
The BJP's criticism extends beyond the specific remarks on the Delhi blast. Some leaders have alluded to past incidents, claiming that the Congress-led government had been lenient towards terrorists in the past. They assert that the BJP, in contrast, would never "serve biryani to terrorists" and would demonstrate its capacity to deal with threats effectively.
Chidambaram has defended his statements, saying that his words were being misrepresented and that he was being targeted by trolls spreading misinformation. He has accused his critics of distorting his views and painting him in a negative light. He has maintained that his intention is to prompt a broader introspection on radicalization within India and the factors that drive Indian citizens towards terrorism. He has also pointed out that he was mocked and trolled when he previously raised the issue of "home-grown terrorists" during the Operation Sindoor debate.
The political controversy surrounding Chidambaram's remarks highlights the sensitive nature of terrorism-related discussions and the deep-seated differences between the BJP and the Congress on national security issues. The BJP's strong reaction underscores its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and its focus on cross-border threats, while Chidambaram's emphasis on "homegrown terrorism" calls for a more nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to radicalization within the country.
