Pahalgam attack: Congress’s Vijay Wadettiwar expresses regret over 'do terrorists ask for religion' remark

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Tuesday issued a clarification and an apology regarding his earlier remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack, which had drawn criticism.
Following his controversy remark, "do terrorists have time to ask for religion?" regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, BJP Maharashtra State President Chandrashekhar Bawankule criticised him for seemingly trying to absolve the terrorists responsible for the incident.

Wadettiwar stated that his comments had been misrepresented and distorted. Clarifying his position, he explained that in the context of the Pahalgam attack, where terrorists killed innocent people, his statement was meant to highlight that terrorists do not stop to ask about a victim’s religion or caste during such incidents.
“What I said yesterday has been misrepresented and distorted. In Pahalgam, where terrorists took the lives of innocent people, Pakistan’s intention was to weaken India and create internal strife. It was Pakistan’s plan, and the terrorists were trained and sent here for this purpose, " Wadettiwar said.
Wadettiwar futhur stated that If anyone's feelings were hurt by my remarks, I sincerely apologise.
"I had said that terrorists do not have the time to ask about religion or caste — this kind of incident has happened for the first time. If anyone’s feelings were hurt by my remarks, I sincerely apologise, ” Wadettiwar added.
Maharashtra BJP state president lambasted the Congress leader, stating that his comment was the "height of insensitivity" and further denounced Wadettiwar's "terrorists have no caste or religion" remarks, questioning who he was trying to please.
"Vijay Wadettiwar's statement is the height of insensitivity. It has been proven time and time again that Hindus are being targeted in Kashmir. So, in what world is Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar living? Who is Wadettiwar trying to please by saying, "Terrorists have no caste or religion"? Are Congress leaders trying to "exonerate" terrorists?" Bawankule said.
The BJP official criticised Congress leaders' remarks as detrimental to national interests, labelling them as "anti-national" and a "disgusting attempt" to shield terrorists from accountability.
Bawankule further condemned the Congress party's approach, stating that they were exploiting sensitive matters and causing distress to the Indian populace by manipulating their sentiments.