Differences within the Congress on the use of the phrase 'saffron terror' on Wednesday resurfaced with party leader Digvijay Singh saying that he had objections to the usage of the words.
"I have objection to the use of caste, colour and religion to describe terror," the senior Congress leader told reporters shortly after Home Minister P Chidambaram maintained that the phrase had brought home the message of right-wing terror and the purpose had been served.
Singh, who the media had earlier credited with the use of the phrase in the Congress, said the word saffron symbolises valour and has religious connotations.
However, he used the word 'Hindu fundamentalists' to describe right-wing terror. "Terrorism in the country arises from fundamentalists among the Hindus and the Muslims," Singh said.
Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party, the All India Congress Committee general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh said that the opposition party should not hide behind the word 'saffron' and should come clean on the activities of some its affiliates, which allegedly have terror links.
Asked about Chidambaram's comment that the 'saffron terror' phrase was not his patent, Singh said, "He should come out with the name of the patent holder".
Noting that Left organisations have been using the phrase 'saffron terror', Singh said, "In India, saffron is associated with valour and has religious connotations".
Singh, who has been at loggerheads with Chidambaram on issues like tackling the Naxal menace and changes in the Arms Act, said that he was 'very happy' that the home ministry has taken note of the activities of 'Hindu fundamentalists'.
Though the Congress distanced itself from the use of the phrase 'saffron terror', the home minister on Wednesday said, "These are religious fundamentalist groups. The message ought not to be lost in phrases and perhaps the use of that phrase has brought the message home. So the purpose, in a way, has been served."
