The Congress has again accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misleading the nation on the question of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram said in a series of tweets: “Mr Modi is lying when he says that Congress will remove the immunity to Armed Forces. Congress manifesto says there will be no immunity only in cases of enforced disappearance, sexual violence or torture. Mr Modi must answer this question: does he support enforced disappearance and sexual violence and torture?”
He added: “Mr Modi must also answer this question: why did he totally withdraw AFSPA from Tripura, Meghalaya and three districts of Arunachal Pradesh?”
The Congress has been pointing to the BJP’s position on the AFSPA, which the Prime Minister and party chief Amit Shah are using to describe the Opposition party as anti-national.
Party communications chief Randeep Surjewala had said yesterday: “Was it an anti-national act when the BJP promised complete withdrawal of AFSPA in 2014? What about withdrawal of AFSPA in Tripura after 18 years in 2015, in April 2018 in Meghalaya after 27 years and in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh after 32 years? Is Congress anti-national for honouring the Supreme Court judgment in its manifesto that rape and murder can’t be condoned under AFSPA?”
