This Article is From Apr 20, 2019

After Backlash, Pragya Thakur Seeks Apology From Those Who "Tortured" Her

When asked her about the controversial statement against Hemant Karkare, Pragya Thakur lost her cool and said, "Will you get an apology from those who tortured me for nine years?"

After Backlash, Pragya Thakur Seeks Apology From Those Who 'Tortured' Her

Several political parties have attacked the comments by Pragya Thakur as disgraceful.

Bhopal:

Facing flak for her remarks against Hemant Karkare, the then Maharashtra ATS chief killed in the 26/11 terror attack, Malegaon blast accused and BJP candidate Pragya Singh Thakur on Saturday demanded an apology from those who "tortured" her for "nine years".

After her statement that Hemant Karkare died in the 26/11 terror attack because she had "cursed" him for "torturing" her led to a furore, Pragya Thakur had apologised on Friday.

However, when reporters reached her residence on Saturday and asked her about the controversial statement, Pragya Thakur lost her cool and said, "Will you get an apology from those who tortured me for nine years?"

"I have myself apologised yesterday... I give you the authority to get an apology from those who tortured me," she added.

Out on bail, Pragya Thakur, 48, is facing trial under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2008 Malegaon blast case.

Six people died in the blast at Malegaon, a communally sensitive town in North Maharashtra, on September 29, 2008, with the ATS claiming that it was the work of a group of Hindu extremists.

The BJP on Wednesday announced Pragya Thakur's candidature from the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, where she would be facing senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh.

Her statement about Hemant Karkare triggered a political storm with opposition parties attacking the BJP, and the Congress demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The saffron party distanced itself from her comment, saying it was her "personal view" which she might have made "due to years of physical and mental torture".

On Friday, Pragya Thakur was quoted as saying by her aide that she felt the "enemies of the country" were benefiting from her statement, so "I take back my statement and apologise for it".
 

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