New Delhi: File photo: The funeral of one of the Indian soldiers killed at the LoCTaking a strong note of their controversial remarks on the killing of soldiers along the Line of Control, the Janata Dal (United) today issued showcause notice to its two ministers in Bihar.
Bhim Singh, the JD(U) leader and Rural Works and Panchayati Raj Minister in Bihar, had said on Saturday that policemen and soldiers are recruited to make sacrifices for the nation. Mr Singh later apologised for his remark.
Days later, his colleague in the Nitish Kumar government, Narendra Singh, gave a clean chit to Pakistan over the killings. "I don't believe that Pakistan is responsible for the incident (killing of five Indian soldiers by Pakistani army on the LoC in Poonch district) on Tuesday," Mr Singh, the Bihar Agriculture Minister, said.
Issuing notices to the ministers, JD(U) president Sharad Yadav today said the statements are "against the policy, ethics and norms of the party" and asked them to explain within seven days "why disciplinary action should not be taken against you on the above misconduct".
Mr Yadav also told the ministers that their remarks had not only "caused embarrassment" to the party but also damaged its reputation.
In the letter to Bhim Singh, Mr Yadav said, "Your statement regarding army personnel who were killed on the LoC, was uncalled for you being a member of JD(U) and also being a member of the state cabinet."
"Your above act is against disciplinary norms of the party," he said.
In his letter to Narendra Singh, the JD(U) chief said that his statement that Pakistan government had no hand in the killings was against the party policy, norms and ethics.
He also reminded the minister that "in this regard I had personally requested you to issue the rebuttal and contradiction to your statement, but it was apparently not done."