During a press conference, a reporter asked Thakur about the chant that evoked sharp criticism. Thakur promptly reacted and said: "Aap log bilkul jhoot bol rahe hain... Apni jaankari mai sudhaar kijye..Aadhi jaankari kisi ke liye bhi gaatak hai (You are lying... Get the facts right...Half knowledge is dangerous)," Thakur said.
The Union minister of state for finance further said strict action should be taken against those involved in the communal riots in the national capital which claimed over 40 lives.
"Strict action should be taken against those involved in (Delhi) the riots. The strength of our country is that people of various faiths coexist and live unitedly contributing towards nation building," Thakur said.
Further commenting on the communal riots, he said, "Police is doing its job...."
Asked again about his alleged hate speech, Thakur said, "I think sometimes there is lack of information in the media too regarding the way some things are projected."
Evading further response on the issue, the Union minister chose to talk about the country's economy. "India should move forward. We have taken big steps on the economy and will do so in future too , he said.
Thakur added, "From Monday, parliament session will begin, questions are raised there also from economy to various other issues and on that platform (in parliament), answers will be given on various matters."
"If you have questions on the economy, you should ask those..," he said when media persons kept fielding questions about his alleged hate speech.
When journalists mentioned the wordings of the alleged hate speech, the BJP leader shot back, "This is not what I said..."
Declining any further comment on the matter, the BJP leader said, "The matter is sub-judice. You (media) should have full facts (about his alleged hate speech). Half-baked information can be dangerous."
(With agency inputs)