Samajwadi Party on Wednesday reacted cautiously over its leader Azam Khan’s remark that it was “Muslim soldiers” who fought for India’s victory in 1999 Kargil war, saying it could be the reflection of some dissatisfaction over “unfulfilled aspirations.”
“In the army as well as during the freedom struggle all including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians were one and fought together and achieved success with the support of all,” party spokesman and state minister Shivpal Singh Yadav said.
“But when any one section of society is neglected it feels the pain, when the aspirations are not fulfilled they feel the pain. He could have made his thoughts public but he as well as Samajwadi Party are together for the interest of nation as well as society,” Mr. Yadav said.
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“Azam’s sacrifices are not any lesser, specially in saving democracy,” Mr. Yadav said adding that the contribution of Muslims for the country is not less (than anyone) and everyone has the right to express himself in democracy.
Mr. Khan had, in an election rally in Ghaziabad, said “those who fought for victory in Kargil were not Hindu soldiers… in fact the ones who fought for our victory were Muslim soldiers.”