Congress disapproves Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks on Paris attacks; seeks Azam's sacking

NEW DELHI | BENGALURU: An embarrassed AICC on Monday distanced itself from its Rajya Sabha member Mani Shankar Aiyar’s post-Paris terror attack remarks, attributing the ISIS surge to the ‘anti-Islamic’ attitude that exists in western countries and asserted terrorism of any kind cannot be justified on any grounds. “We don’t agree with Aiyar’s comment.

He should be careful about the kind of comments he makes on such issues…As far as the Congress is concerned, we strongly condemn terror acts of any kind,” AICC spokesperson Ajay Maken said in response to media queries on Aiyar’s remarks. He also condemned the controversial statement of SP leader Azam Khan on the same terror attack.

The AICC also demanded the PM take action against minister of state for external affairs VK Singh for his comments on the issue of ‘growing intolerance’, saying inaction against such remarks would mean, “the fringe elements of BJP are being allowed to become the mainstream voices.” Meanwhile, the Karnataka BJP has started an online campaign, seeking sedition charges against Aiyar. The online petition also requests the Union government to recommend his disqualification from the Rajya Sabha.