Azam Khan takes U-turn

A day after making a highly insensitive statement on the Bulandshahar highway gangrape, Minority Affairs minister Azam Khan took a U turn saying the culprits should be punished as per Islamic law  to send out a message that stringent action would be taken against heinous crimes against women.

Khan said on Wednesday, ``I did not say ‘virodhiyon ki shaazish’. I just said polls are approaching and since so many such incidents are happening they should be investigated. My statement was misinterpreted by the media. I condemn the Bulandshahar incident in the strongest terms.’’

The SP leader did the volta face after being on the receiving end of scathing attack from the Opposition and even social media for playing politics over a sensitive issue.  

Party sources claimed that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also conveyed his displeasure to Khan for his controversial and insensitive comment and hence he was forced to issue a clarification.

"The state government is committed to controlling law and order in the state. To prevent recurrence of incidents like at Bulandshahr, the culprits would be brought to justice,’’said Khan. 

“We cannot duck the responsibility of controlling law and order and ensuring good governance. But it is our duty too to find out if there is any conspiracy against our government as elections are around the corner," he said.

Commenting on the derogatory statement by state BJP spokesman IP Singh against him, Khan said,"It is not new for BJP leaders to make abrasive comments and create controversies. A BJP MP was charged with raping his disciple while several others openly use derogatory language."

Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party defended its Muslim leader for his statement and blamed the BJP for creating a controversy. Spokesman Rajendra Choudhary said, "Khan is  a very sensitive person  with strong secular credentials. No one can doubt his intentions. The BJP created a controversy only to draw political mileage from the unfortunate incident at Bulandshahar."