Former Mumbai police commissioner condemns Sadhvi Pragya's remarks against 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare, says "Her idea of Hinduism is not in sync with the teachings of Hindu deities"

Julio Ribeiro, former Mumbai police commissioner, on Saturday, condemned BJP Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Sadhvi Pragya Thakur for her remarks on 26/11 martyr and former Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad chief Hemant Karkare.

He said that her idea of Hinduism is not in sync with the teachings of Hindu deities, Lord Rama and Krishna.

"A good Hindu is one who does his duty. I think Sadhvi Pragya's idea of Hinduism is different. To curse a person who has done his duties responsibly is not a Hinduism. Her statement was not in line with the teachings of Hindu gods like Lord Rama and Krishna,” he said speaking to news agency PTI.

Earlier while addressing a gathering in Bhopal on Thursday, Sadhvi Pragya had accused Hemant Karkare of holding her in custody illegally. She had also added that he had tried to fabricate the evidence against her in the 2008 Malegaon Blast case and said he had died as a result of her 'curse'.

The Mumbai ATS chief had questioned her in custody during the investigation into the 2008 Malegaon Blasts case in which she is a key accused.

"The officer appointed by the Security Council for investigating the case (Malegaon blasts) was Hemant Karkare. He (Karkare) was told that 'if you don't have any evidence against her, then leave Sadhvi'. It is against the law to hold a person without evidence. He had told that I will do anything and get evidence from anywhere, but will not spare Sadhvi. This was his craftiness. This was treason. It was against duty," Thakur had said.

Her comments against the Mumbai ATS chief have triggered many controversies by various political leader along with the IPS association.

On Friday, IPS Association issued a statement for the same demanding that all the sacrifices made by the martyrs while fighting against the terrorists must be respected. The association did not name anyone in particular, however, it was clear that the statement was in reference to what Sadhvi Pragya Thakur had said about Karkare.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had also said that the BJP candidate should not have made her controversial statement on the late ATS chief.

"Late Mr Karkare was a very brave and upright police officer and will be revered as a martyr forever. Sadhvi Pragya's remark is personal opinion and we don't support it," Fadanvis said.

Following the controversy, the BJP candidate for Bhopal apologized for her statements against Karkare, saying that the comments were her personal views and did not reflect the BJP party's position.

"It is my personal statement and I felt the country's enemies were happy about my statement and hence I have taken it back. I apologise that our enemies were happy about my statement. I accept that certainly (Karkare) he was martyred by the bullets of our enemies. If my statement is making our enemies happy then I want to take my statement back," she said.

WATCH | "I Apologise For My Personal Statement If It Made Country's Enemies Happy": Sadhvi Pragya Takes Back Her Comment Targeting 26/11 Martyr Hemant Karkare

(With PTI inputs)