Bihar minister Bhim Singh wants chapter closed, opposition continue attack

PATNA: Bihar minister Bhim Singh who had made the shocking statement that people joined the army to be martyred, but later apologised after rebuked from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, today said that the matter should be closed now.

"By apologising publicly before the nation I have mended the wrong I did (comment on soldiers following the killing of five of them in Jammu and Kashmir)," Singh, the Rural Works and Panchayati Raj minister, told PTI here.

"Maine apne paap ka prayashchit kar liya hai" (I have repented for the sin I committed). "I have done what I could do. The chapter should be closed now," the minister said when asked whether he would resign, a demand still being made by opposition parties.

The chief minister did not answer questions of newsmen on the minister's comments when he visited Khankah Mujibiya at Phulwarisharif during the day on Eid.

Kumar had yesterday said that he was deeply anguished by the minister's remarks.

But, the opposition was in no mood to relent. RJD President Lalu Prasad said the minister could not be pardoned for insulting soldiers who laid down their lives for the country's protection.

"He should be removed from the ministry after plucking out his ears," Prasad said.