NEW DELHI: Congress accused the BJP government of playing “petty and cheap politics” by facilitating the release of A G Perarivalan, the assassin of late PM Rajiv Gandhi, and accused PM Narendra Modi and BJP of showing double standards on terrorism.
“Today there is sorrow and fury not only among Congress workers, but in every citizen who believes in India and Indianness. It is condemnable and very unfortunate,” Randeep Surjewala said.
“A terrorist is a terrorist and should be treated as one. Today, we are deeply pained and disappointed at the decision of the Supreme Court. If those guilty of terrorism, and assassination of a PM, are going to be released like this, then who will uphold the majesty and the integrity of law in this country?” Surjewala asked.
Training its guns at Modi, Congress asked, “Are you going to be complicit in the release of terrorists and murderers of a former PM. Is it acquiescence by silence?”
Congress said on September 9, 2018, the then AIADMK-BJP government in Tamil Nadu had recommended the release of all seven Rajiv assassination convicts, and the recommendation was sent to the then governor Banwarilal Purohit, a former BJP leader. Purohit “just sat” over the recommendation, before referring the matter to the President. “Because the governor did not take a call to accept or reject the recommendation, the SC had to release one of them,” Surjewala said, adding that the other six will also be released now.
“Rajiv-ji had sacrificed his life for the country, not for Congress. And if today’s government creates a situation in the court to get his killers released for their petty and cheap politics, then it is condemnable,” he said.
When asked that the Gandhi family has already pardoned the killers, Surjewala said, “Rahul-ji, Priyanka-ji, Sonia-ji, harbour no ill will, for they believe in the philosophy of Bapu and Buddha and the years long traditions of this country, where you pardon anybody who has harmed you. But, that does not change the law and the constitution of this country.”
