NEW DELHI: Under attack for his statement on the killing of five Indian soldiers on LoC, Defense Minister A K Antony today maintained that his contention about the involvement of terrorists in the assault was based on “whatever information” he had.
He told Rajya Sabha that he will get back to the House if he got more details about yesterday’s incident in Poonch after the visit of Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh to Jammu today.
“When as Defense Minister I make a statement in Parliament, I have to clarify on whatever information I have.
Today, Army Chief has gone to the area, let him come back. If there are some other details, I will convey to you,” he said.
Antony said, “Regarding the defense and protection of integrity of the country, the nation is one, Parliament is one…There is no compromise on this.”
He spoke in the House amidst all-round attack on him, with opposition accusing him of making a “false statement” on the killing of Indian soldiers.
The House witnessed uproar over the issue and saw three adjournments in the pre-lunch session.
While BJP earlier sought a clarification and apology from him, they accused him of “giving an escape route to Pakistan” by his statement which they said “impeached upon national security”. Dissatisfied with Antony’s statement, BJP members were up on their feet and then trooped into the well raising slogans against Pakistan and demanded an apology from the Minister.
Raising the issue, BJP said the Defense Minister’s statement in Parliament was contrary to the release of the Army made in Jammu, where the incident happened, and asked why Antony got the version of the Army statement changed.
“Defense Minister has to clarify and tender an apology to the country. Government has let down the moral of the country and demoralized the Armed Forces. What is the response…The Minister should offer an apology,” Venkaiah Naidu (BJP) said.
Accusing government of “putting pressure on the Army”, he said, “Why is he doing this? He should tender an apology…
What compelled the government to supersede an earlier statement…Government wants to be silent. Why Antony, a person of sincerity honesty and integrity, is doing this?”
Naidu said, “The second statement gives an escape route to Pakistan. Please understand our agony. It’s not a Congress or BJP issue. It is a national issue. Two contradictory statements. One statement gives an escape route to Pakistan.”
Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) said, “It impinges upon national security. We would like the defense minister to explain after all the first statement is issued from Jammu, from the field, from the Armed forces.”
Naidu questioned why there was change in statement by the defense minister. “Is it something to do with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s proposed visit to United Nations and hold talks with Pakistan there?”
Dissatisfied with Antony’s statements, BJP members disallowed Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to carry out further legislative business when he sought to take up the Companies Bill.-PTI
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