Enough is enough, country now wants results: Arun Jaitely

Amid public anger and rage over the politicisation of Mumbai terror attack by various political parties and some insensitive remarks by equally irresponsible leaders, Arun Jaitley spoke to Zeenews over his feelings on recent developments. Speaking to Zeenews. com’s Swati Chaturvedi on the issue of terrorism the BJP general secretary justified public anger saying “enough is enough country now wants a change”. A few excerpts from the interview:

Swati: All across the nation there is public outrage; people are comparing politicians with terrorists. The public rallies being carried out are not led by anyone. They are coming out on their own. What do you have to say about it.

Jaitely: I agree with the emotions of the public, their anger is justified. Terrorism has been a problem for India for a long time. Instead of relating terror attacks with national security it has been used for vote bank politics. And people have realised that enough is enough. They want politicians to stop politicising it and fight terrorism.

The second reason is there is a section of people including me, Advaniji and others who have till date not compromised on the issue of terrorism and have always advocated tough steps against terrorism. While there was a section of media which always opposed our demand for taking tough steps against terrorism. Now, the same people are blaming not only the government but also the politicians for this.

After all a common man is wise and if he has a problem with the political system he wants a change in the set up. I find it absolutely right.

However, there are such political people in this country who have never compromised in the fight against terror.

Swati: The politicians have also been accused of being insensitive and callous. I would not like to name them but a Left leader who made insulting remark to a martyr’s family and a second leader who belonged to your party. How long will our politicians follow such uncivilised and callous approach?

Jaitely: It should not have happened in the first place. After Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi made that statement I immediately called a press conference and admitted that public anger is justified. People from all walks of life have every right to call for a change. And then Mr Naqvi regretted making that remark. There should be great respect for the martyrs who lost their lives and their respective families as well.

When Parliament was attacked in 2001 I was inside the House, 8 security personnel lost their lives to ensure all of us go unscathed. So we should be grateful to people like them. And if any of member from those martyr’s family comes ahead and says something against us we will have to listen to it.

Swati: This would be my last question about politicians. Like disaster tourism or terror tourism, Vilasrao Deshmukh took along with him Ram Gopal Varma and his two sons to the Taj Hotel. Even your party leader Narendra Modi reached Taj the very next day of the attack and LK Advani and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made statement when 200 lives were at stake.

Jaitely: These incidents are not related with people’s unhappiness. It was time for us to be united.

Swati: So you think you were with the government?

Jaitely: On the security issue we were with the government but when it came to raising it as a political issue to bring about a change in the security system then we criticized the government. People can only raise issues but eventually it is the job of the opposition to do that. Without demoralising security forces creating pressure on government about their policies is our job as well as right.

Swati: But people believe that you politicised the Mumbai incident in which 200 lives were lost.

Jaitely: We have nothing against security forces but if we do not oppose Centre for its policies then we are a failure as an opposition.

Swati: Do you believe that every party has indulged in vote bank politics including yours which has brought the nation to this juncture. Nothing has changed in last 60 years. Since this government has come into power 800 innocent lives have been lost in terror strikes in various states.

Jaitely: All parties will have differences but this government has compromised on the issue of national security. We were never against Indira and Rajiv Gandhi because when it came to dealing with terror they took stern action. But since the UPA government has taken over, it has been accused of being "soft on terror".

The reason being that they abolished POTA and called our NDA government not an anti-terrorist but an anti-minority government. They reversed al our policies and perverted the definition of secularism in which nationalism took a backseat.

Be it abolition of POTA, Afzal’s hanging or Batla house encounter the government proved to be weak on terror.

And the rage of people is against the government a little of whose ire is coming our way as well.

Swati: Everyone is calling it (Mumbai terror attack) a systemic failure including the Navy chief. It took NSG 9 and a half hours before they reached the spot. Prior to that in Sadhvi Pragya’s case your party made serious allegations against ATS chief Hemant Karkare, another martyr in the Mumbai attack. When we say that terrorists do not have any religion then why Sadhvi was an exception case for you?

Jaitely: Our stand is what Advaniji said based upon the affidavit filed by Sadhvi Pragya when she accused ATS of torturing her.

Swati: But your party president Rajnath Singh on the very same show said that he is not embarrassed to be clicked with Sadhvi Pragya and that a Sadhvi can never be a terrorist.

Jaitely: I attribute it to irresponsible journalism as well. Media produced Rajnath Singh and Sadhvi’s photograph from a posthumous function of a politician. I believe that the truth in that case will come out and till then we should not made any accusation about any security agency. Let them deal each case on its merit.

Now the security system has been called a failure. While the security agencies were busy in the Malegaon case, the terrorists came from the sea route making a mockery of the national security system. R&AW (Research & Analysis Wing) is accusing NSA (National Security Adviser) and IB (Intelligence Bureau) in turn IB is accusing local police. On the other hand Navy and Coast Guards are also playing the blame game.

The blame game which was a part of the politics has now started between security and intelligence agencies.

The repair work is too tough because political establishment’s political authority is in tatters and the country really needs to rise above it and correct it.

Swati: What doos the BJP has to say about Pakistan’s stand calling Mumbai incident an act of non-state actors?

Jaitely: Pakistan has become a state which has been living in denial. They are still not ready to accept that the terrorists were from Pakistan even after so many evidences about their telecommunication records and their family roots have been produced but Pak has denied it. The same denials have come from their security forces and unfortunately their media as well.

This attack violates the joint agreement of January 6, 2004 where Pakistan had promised not to allow its land to be used for terror activities.

I don’t think a non-state actor like Lashkar-e-Toiba, can do it on its own. It was a mistake on Prime Minister’s part to call Pakistan a victim of terrorism in Havana. And government will have to change its stand now.

Swati: What should be India’s stand against Pakistan now? Does Pak take us for granted?

Jaitely: India is a responsible nation. It is time to assess the situation and create pressure through diplomatic ways and mutual dialogues. How long do they keep that pressure on depends upon the government. Once govt finishes its assessment then we all must support them. Government’s inputs will be vital in it. I agree enough is enough the country now wants results.

Swati: What do you and your party has to say to the Pakistani media?

Jaitely: I don’t have to say anything to the Pakistani media I would just request Indian media to refrain from irresponsible journalism. As they showed a red thread on a terrorist’s hand and called him a Hindu which later helped Pak media to deny India’s claims that the terrorists were Pak nationals. The same reports were published in Chinese dailies as well and provided an argument to Pakistan in denying India’s claims.

Your comment(s) on this article

Pakistan is trying to whitewash its role in the terrorist attack on Mumbai. Being an Islamic state, it is only displaying the singular trait of Islam - whitewashing. Mohammad spread his religion by sword, but that history is sought to be whitewashed and Islam is portrayed as a religion of peace! -K.Venugopal - Mumbai

Jaitley is Right.Irresponsible Journalism of our country is a major factor for terrorism in India.Journalist and media takes sides with terrorist and become insenstive to innocent lives lost.Always they try to prove that its not Islamic terrorism .They are always seeking to connect terrorism with Hindu by linking with slightest and ridiculous things ..only to prove that its not Islamic terror but something else.Media tries to dilute the seriousness of issue.Media aleays comes in support of terrorist or tries to ignore the issues that could pressurise the Government to take stringent action against terroriosm.Media tries to portray that anti terrorism is anti minority.May be they are working beccause of their vested interests or some kind of gain ISN`T MEDIA IRRESPONSIBLE MEDIA HAS MORE THAN 70% SHARE FOR TERRORISM AND KILLING OF INNOCENT PEOPLE -ajay - USA http://www.zeenews.com/zeeexclusive/2008-12-06/488952news.html