'Bush must apologise for entry of sniffer dogs'

New Delhi, Mar 03: Describing as an 'insult to the Father of The Nation Mahatma Gandhi' the reported entry into the Rajghat complex yesterday (Mar 03, 2006) of sniffer dogs accompanying the US Secret Service agents , Janata Dal (U) Leader and former Defence Minister George Fernandes today demanded an apology from US President George Bush over the incident.

''The entry of the sniffer dogs in the complex, where even the gardeners are not allowed entry with their slippers on is an insult to the Father of the Nation and for this the US President should apologise,''Mr Fernandes told reporters here.

He was also critical of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for allowing such a thing to happen.

''Surely, the Prime Minister knew beforehand that the sniffer dogs would be accompanying the US Secret Service agents to Rajghat.

He should have ensured that the dogs were not taken to the memorial of the Father of The Nation. That way, the unsavoury incident would not have occurred and the sentiments of Indian people would not been hurt,'' Mr Fernandes said.

Some sections of the media had reported yesterday that sniffer dogs had accompanied the US Secret Service officers, entrusted with security of the US President, into the Rajghat complex where Mr Bush and his wife had gone to pay homage to the Father of The Nation.

UNI

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