By TCN Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: Within hours after his statement over Kashmir stirred a controversy, fire-brand Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan on Wednesday retracted his words saying ‘Kashmir is an integral part of India and it will always remain part of India.’ He even convened a press conference in his native town Rampur to clarify his stand and
come out clean from the controversy.
Earlier Khan while speaking at a seminar titled ‘Status of Muslims in India’, organised by a local Muslim outfit in Badaun, had allegedly stated that there was only one Muslim minister in the Union Cabinet, and even he was not from this country but from Kashmir. His remarks provided an easy fodder for the electronic channels and the political parties in Lucknow. With the airing of the remark, the parties as BJP and Congress were baying for his blood.
However, Khan, an orator par excellence, denied the charges.
Commenting on the issue, he remarked: “My statement was distorted by the media. The question which I had posed was shown as answer. I reiterate that Kashmir is an integral part of India and will always remain with India.”
Over the controversy in Kashmir he remarked: “The Congress is behind the turmoil in Kashmir. It has now launched a new campaign of Hindu and Muslim extremists. It will further damage the Muslims.”
Regarding the protest by the BJP over his statement, Khan remarked: “The party which has highlighted Jinnah as secular and even its minister went to safely release terrorists in Kandhar have no right to comment,” he said.