Chidambaram unrepentant despite furore

New Delhi: Federal Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram remains unrepentant over his use of the controversial phrase "saffron terror", which infuriated several right-wing parties.

"I cannot claim the patent on the phrase. The phrase has been used in the past," Chidambaram told a press conference yesterday. Chidambaram holds once-a-month press conferences to give the media status reports on his ministry.

Not impressed

The principal opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally Shiv Sena, both known pro-Hindu political outfits, raised a furore after Chidambaram used the controversial phrase "saffron terror" on August 26 while addressing a seminar on terrorism, leading to the two parties temporarily stalling the proceedings of parliament.

A perturbed Congress party, which was seeking the BJP's help in getting the nuclear civil liability bill passed by parliament, distanced itself from Chidambaram, with the party's General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi saying terror has no colour. In India, the colour of saffron is closely associated with Hinduism.

"The message is that right-wing fundamentalist groups are suspected to be behind some bomb blasts. These are religious fundamentalist groups," Chidambaram said.

"The message ought not to be lost in phrases. And perhaps the use of that phrase has brought the message home," Chidambaram said.

"So, the purpose in a way has been served," the federal home minister added.

Chidambaram added that there was no let up in attempts to radicalise young men and women as involvement of some pro-Hindu groups in many bomb blasts had come to light.