UPA parties using secularism as shield terror: BJP

New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) Arguing that terrorism to be identified by the act and not by any religion, the BJP today accused the leaders of pseudo-secular parties of attempting to bring a bad name to the Muslims in the country by using secularism as a shield for terror incidents.

Muslims, by nature are nationalists and totally loyal to the country and have fought along with fellow citizens for liberating the motherland during freedom struggle and lived as patriots after Independence.

However, there is a tendency among the political parties to glorify the black deeds of terrorist organisations, offering them a clean chit.

''This open support to terror perpetrators and their organisations is creating a feeling of insecurity among the ordinary Muslims,'' BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in a statement.

Without taking any names he alleged that two Union Ministers had actively supported the anti-India actions of banned organisations like SIMI and other outfits.

The UPA allies even did not mind underplaying the ultimate sacrifice of Delhi Police Inspector M C Sharma who laid down his life in the encounter in Delhi that followed the September 13 blasts. Any irresponsible statements of Congress and its allies would only help the senseless violence, he said.

While secularism is a constitutionally accepted principle, the leaders who did not have faith in strengthening the nation should not use secularism to defend terror. Violence against innocents is indefensible and it should be dealt as per the law.

''We appeal to the people particularly the Muslims in the country to give a fitting reply to the designs of political leaders,'' Mr Naqvi said.

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