M A I N   N E W S

EC notice to Azam Khan over Kargil remarks
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 9
The Election Commission of India has served a notice to Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan following his controversial remarks in which he allegedly aimed to divide the Indian Army’s victory in the Kargil war on religious lines. Khan was being probed by the Election Commission which had sought all details and video recordings of his speeches.

Azam Khan, a minister in UP, while campaigning in Ghaziabad yesterday, said, “Kargil ki pahadiyon ko fateh karne wale Hindu sainik nahin balki Musalmaan they. (It was Muslim soldiers, and not Hindus, who conquered the hills of Kargil)”.

The Samajwadi Party leader today defended his statement saying it should be welcomed and asked why people felt bad when he talked about the contributions of the Muslim community. “What is wrong with my statement? It should be welcomed,” said Khan.

“I want to say that if we sacrifice our lives on the borders, if we take back our mountains from Pakistan in the war, then why do people feel bad about it? Why can’t we talk about the contributions Muslims make for the country?” he asked. The BJP complained to the Election Commission against the Samajwadi Party and accused it of trying to divide security forces on communal lines during elections. Party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said Khan had not only maligned the Army but also denigrated the sacrifices of the soldiers. He taunted SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, asking him if, as a former defence minister, his conscience was not “awakened” by Khan’s comments.

The Indian Army and its veterans are shocked as never before have the armed forces been dragged into divisive electioneering.

Mixed regiments, a euphemism for Hindus and Muslims being in the same battalion, had participated in the 1999 Kargil war with Pakistan. “It is correct that Muslim companies participated and fought bravely. But to divide the Army on these lines is demoralising for the forces”, said a senior serving officer. Battalions of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and the Grenadiers were among the mixed regiments. The remaining regiments had the Sikhs, the Hindus and the Buddhists.

Maj Gen (retd) Satbir Singh, chairman, Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM), said the body strongly condemned and expressed its “anguish and disappointment over the irresponsible, divisive, unfortunate and totally malicious statement” of Azam Khan.

Remains defiant

What is wrong with my statement? It should be welcomed. Azam Khan

BJP approaches EC

• The BJP on Wednesday complained to the Election Commission against the Samajwadi Party
• It accused the SP of trying to divide security forces on communal lines.