IPS association condemns Sadhvi Pragya's remark on 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare

Indian police service (IPS) association on Friday condemned the remarks made by Bharatiya Janata Party's Bhopal Lok Sabha seat candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur against Anti-terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare who died in 26/11 attacks.

"Ashok Chakra awardee late Sri Hemant Karkare, IPS made the supreme sacrifice fighting terrorists. Those of us in uniform condemn the insulting statement made by a candidate and demand that sacrifices of all our martyrs be respected."

Addressing BJP workers in Bhopal on Thursday, Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya had said that she "cursed" him for torturing her.

"He tortured me and subjected me to harsh abuse which was unbearable. I told him he will be destroyed. A little over a month later 'sutak' (ritual observed after the death of a family member) was going to start...Just over a month later, he was shot dead by terrorists and the inauspicious period ended," PTI reported Sadhvi Pragya as saying.

Karkare was killed along with two other senior police officers while fighting terrorists during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in November 2008.

Out on bail, Pragya has been discharged by a court on charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the 2008 case but is still facing trial under other criminal provisions, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. 

Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Office has received a complaint against Sadhvi Pragya for her comments on Karkare, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, BJP released an official statement over the remarks in which it said, "she might have given (curse) because of the mental and physical torture she had faced."

"BJP considers him a martyr. This is Sadhvi Pragya's personal statement which she might have given because of the mental & physical torture she had faced," the official statement read.

As her remarks sparked strong reactions from various leaders, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal slammed Sadhvi Pragya saying that her comments were "disgraceful".

"Disgraceful comments by BJP's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Thakur on 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare ji need to be condemned in strongest terms. BJP is showing its true colours and it must be shown its place now," Kejriwal tweeted.

(With inputs from agencies)