Indiraji is our inspiration: Sonia to Pak

Agencies

New Delhi: Invoking former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's name, in an apparent reference to the 1971 war that led to the break-up of Pakistan and creation of Bangladesh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said India would give a fitting reply to those buttressing terrorism from across the border.

In her address at the national convention of district and block Congress committee presidents in the city, she claimed that Congress was the "only party" that could tackle terrorism.

She also castigated BJP for seeking to take political mileage out of terror by trying to "incite" public sentiments and "deliberately" delaying important legislations through disruptions in Parliament.

"The parties whose agenda is to divide the society, the parties which refuse to accept pluralism, which interfere in personal lives, which mobilize people on religious lines, which mislead the people in the name of Bhagwan Ram again and again, cannot become an effective instrument against terrorism," said Gandhi in an obvious reference to the BJP.

Countering BJP criticism of the UPA government's handling of terror, she said: "The party which has lost two of its beloved leaders at the hands of terrorists does not need any certificate from anybody." Only that party which respects diversity of Indian traditions and heritage can fight terrorism, she said, adding that the Congress is the only such party.

Senior UPA ministers also took turns to warn Pakistan. "They (Pakistan) will have to fulfil their commitment. Perpetrators of terror attacks must be brought to justice. Nobody should think that the great country is helpless and cannot tackle the situation arising out of this problem. I repeat all our options are open," Pranab Mukherjee said.

"Don't try to divert the attention of the international community. Take corrective measures and don't think that you (Pakistan) can simply shirk this responsibility," he said. He also had a "word of caution" for those who try to "totally misrepresent" the situation by attributing it to a particular religion.

Listing three challenges to internal security - insurgency in the North-East, Naxalism and terrorism - Chidambaram said that nobody should doubt the UPA government's resolve to act "swiftly and decisively" in the event of a terror attack.

"We face terror from groups that seek to profess jehadi terror. We face terror from groups that seek support in religion. There are militants who claim that Hindu militancy is the way to go and way to defend India. Let me make it clear that there is no stigma in being a Hindu, a Christian, a Muslim, or even a non-believer. But irrespective of religion, whoever takes to the gun, to the path of terror, is an enemy of the state. He or she has to be met squarely," he said.