'Is It A Warning?': BJP Slams Salman Khurshid For 'Bangladesh Can Happen In India Too' Remark, Calls Him 'Anarchist'

 At a book release event, Khurshid said that though "everything may look normal on the surface, there is something under the surface...what is happening in Bangladesh could happen in India".

Congress leader Salman Khurshid.

Source : PTI

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday slammed Congress leader Salman Khurshid for making "anarchist" remarks at a book release that a Bangladesh-like situation could happen in India as well. These remarks evoked sharp reactions from the BJP, which claimed that the grand old party was giving a warning through its leader's statement.

At a book release function on Tuesday night, Khurshid said that though "everything may look normal on the surface, the fact remains that under the surface there is something...what is happening in Bangladesh could happen in India".

Following this, BJP MP Anurag Thakur lashed out at the former Union Minister, alleging that the Congress wanted to toss India into anarchy after facing defeat thrice in the Lok Sabha polls.

He said that these remarks made by a Congress leader reflected what the party's mindset is, adding that the Congress can do "anything to take the country back in time".

"I want to ask the Congress do they agree with this statement made by Salman Khurshid?" Thakur questioned.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Congress leader Salman Khurshid's statement 'What is happening in Bangladesh can happen here', BJP MP Anurag Thakur says, "Facing loss for three times in a row, Congress want to push the country into a state of anarchy... They can do anything to take the… pic.twitter.com/u8jjRWf5bB

— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2024

He also asked the Congress to stop spreading fear, confusion and rumour in the country.

'Salman Khurshid Gave Warning On Congress's Behalf' 

Meanwhile, BJP MP Sambit Patra claimed that the Congress leader gave a warning on behalf of his party. "This is a serious issue. When we are witnessing such a situation in neighbouring countries, the main opposition party Congress wants the same situation in India," he told reporters outside Parliament.

Questioning if it was a warning, Patra further claimed that other Congress leaders had also made similar remarks that protests and arson would happen in India just like Bangladesh, PTI reported.

"This is a warning Salman Khurshid has given on behalf of the Congress. Other leaders, including Shashi Tharoor, were present at the book launch event, in a way supporting what he said," Patra said.

Hitting out at Congress over the remarks, Patra asked: "What is the thought process of the Congress party? Rahul Gandhi used to say there will be arson and riots in this country, there will be attacks on the PM, why was he saying that? Does the country's main opposition party want the same thing in India?"

Patra stated that the Congress was just "venting its frustration for not being able to win elections" and alleged that it was "promoting this kind of anarchy and pushing the country towards destruction."

"This conspiracy of the Congress has been exposed before the public," he added.

'Anarchist Remarks, This Is Sedition'

Fellow BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy also criticised Khurshid for his remarks, calling them "anarchist".

"He is also a member of the CWC, this is an anarchist statement, and I think it is a kind of sedition. It's unfortunate that the Congress is resorting to such anarchist statements to hide its failure," Rudy said.

'Ask Him What He Meant': Tharoor

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who was also present at the book event where Khurshid made these remarks, said on Wednesday that he cannot explain what the Congress leader meant. But the "larger message that Bangladesh has given is about the importance of democracy and free and fair elections".

Responding to questions about Khurshid's statement, Tharoor said, You'll have to ask him exactly what he meant, it is not my job to comment on comments of others."  

"Generally speaking, the larger message that the Bangladesh experience has given is the importance of democracy, of free and fair elections, transparency, engaging people in the system, making sure all institutions of democracy function fairly," he added.

Tharoor also said that India should stand with Bangladesh. "Let us hope they will have a chance to determine their own political destiny," he said.