Advani angers Congress, Left and… Parivar

DPM L.K. Advani’s statement on riots evoked sharp reaction from the Parivar. ‘‘There is a fashion in India to blame Hindus, who are the victims, for everything and not mention even the name of jehadis who are aggressors… roasting of 47 Hindus alive on Godhra station, the attacks on Raghunath Temple, Akshardham, Amarnath pilgrims and Parliament are not blots for Advaniji,’’ VHP international president Pravin Togadia said. Northern India chief of Shiv Sena, Jai Bhagwan Goyal, said Advani was making a ‘‘grave mistake’’ if his intention was to woo Muslims.

Meanwhile, the Congress and the Left parties fear ‘‘communal trouble’’ during Advani’s Bharat Uday Yatra.Congress spokesperson Kapil Sibal said: ‘‘If Advani at any time violates law, whichever the government in power in states must take appropriate action… It is a must.’’ Citing the Advani two previous yatras, CPI-M politburo member Sitaram Yechuri said ‘‘the experience shows that his Yatra always leaves behind a trail of blood’’.