BSP defends clamping NSA on Varun

Justifying the imposition of the National Security Act on Bharatiya Janata Party leader Varun Gandhi,  Bahujan Samaj Party national general secretary Satish Misra on Tuesday hit out at both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress for opposing the move.

Reacting to the Supreme Court's view, that invoking the deterrent law against Varun was disproportionate to his offence, Misra told a press conference, "We are going to reiterate our stand more forcefully before the apex court. After all, Varun's offence was of a very serious nature."

He said, "Varun's utterances were clearly intended to incite communal disharmony and  to vitiate the atmosphere and  the chief minister wanted to send the message loud and clear that even hi-profile law offenders would be dealt with in a severe manner."

Asked to comment on the affidavit and undertaking that Varun has submitted to the SC,  assuring that he would not indulge in any further hate speeches, the BSP leader shot back, "Let me first see what he has said in the affidavit."

Misra also questioned Congress leader Kapil Sibal's opposition of the NSA being invoked against Varun.

"Kapil Sibal's opposition to the imposition of NSA on Varun Gandhi sounds much like Lal Krishna Advani's criticism of the move, thereby naturally arousing suspicion that the Congress and BJP were hand-in-glove," he said.