VHP leader Ashok Singhal was a terrorist, say AAP MLAs

Delhi Assembly witnessed unprecedented din as ruling AAP MLAs termed deceased Vishav Hindu Parishad (VHP)  leader Ashok Singhal a “terrorist”.

While Speaker Ram Niwas Goel denied permission for paying tributes to Singhal, AAP MLAs created an uproar saying he was responsible for killing of thousands of people post the demolition of Babri Mosque in 1992. Opposition Leader Vijender Gupta had sought an obituary to the VHP leader.

“He (Singhal) was not a member of this House nor was he any Parliamentarian. The House is aggrieved over his demise but the Assembly cannot allow tributes here,” said Goel. A number of AAP leaders said Singhal was a ‘terrorist’ who perpetrated the Babri mosque demolition. The BJP leaders retaliated saying the proceedings of Delhi Assembly were the biggest example of intolerance, where the ruling party was not ready to listen to the Opposition. Amidst country-wide debates on intolerance and growing communal tension, the Delhi Legislative Assembly too raised the topic for discussion with Delhi MLAs condemning the recent incidents like Dadri, Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir. AAP MLA Mahendra Yadav said India had become at par with countries like Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The members requested the people to maintain peace and solidarity. “India is surrounded by a number of failed nation states, yet we continue to remain strong. The reason behind this unmatched solidarity is our peaceful attitude and we should continue to maintain that,” Jarnail Singh, MLA from Rajouri Garden said.

The members, however, lashed out against political parties. Without naming anyone, Laxmi Nagar MLA Nitin Tyagi claimed that certain parties are responsible for the communal tension and are using it to rake-in the divided vote bank. “Nationalism in the country is being defined by radicals. Intolerance is when the country’s intellectuals return awards and when our nationally acclaimed actors are asked to move out of their own country,” said Tyagi adding “I appeal people to live and let live.”