Wadettiwar tenders apology to Pahalgam terror attack victims

Nagpur: Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Tuesday issued an unconditional apology to the families of those killed in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

His statement that "do terrorists have time to ask for victims' religious identities" made a few days ago, drew criticism from several quarters, especially the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde).

Wadettiwar told TOI that his statement words were misinterpreted and distorted. "The Pahalgam terror attack, in which terrorists gunned down innocent people, was Pakistan's ploy and the terrorists were trained and sent here for this purpose. Pakistan's intention was to weaken India and create communal strife," Wadettiwar said.

He added that if his words caused distress to the families of the victims, he sincerely regretted it. "I said that terrorists do not have the time to ask about religion or caste. This kind of incident happened for the first time. If anyone's feelings were hurt by my remarks, I sincerely apologise," he said.

Condemning Wadettiwar's comments, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule termed these as "height of insensitivity". He questioned the Congress leader as to whom was he attempting to appease with such statements.