Ghulam Nabi Azad compares demonetisation with Uri terror attack; govt demands apology

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad's remarks comparing alleged deaths related to demonetisation with casualties in the terror attack in Uri kicked up a row on Thursday, with BJP demanding an "unconditional apology" for an insensitive statement.The already acrimonious situation in the Rajya Sabha worsened after Azad asked who should be held responsible for the deaths of those affected by the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The treasury benches, led by information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu, immediately attacked Azad for trying to equate Pakistan-sponsored terrorism with the government's demonetisation decision. The remarks were later expunged but by then had played widely on social media and TV.Later, parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said, "He is not an ordinary member of Congress party... He has made an anti-national statement comparing the unfortunate deaths...to those of our brave soldiers who were killed in Pakistani attack in Uri".The incident is likely to deepen the deadlock witnessed on Thursday. There seemed to be a realisation in the opposition camp that smooth of functioning of Rajya Sabha on Wednesday may result in the issue being "closed" in the House. This led to adjournments being forced in Rajya Sabha as well as Lok Sabha with the opposition demanding PM Narendra Modi's presence in the two Houses.The government has made it clear that it will reject the opposition demand for a joint parliamentary probe into the alleged leak of information regarding demonetisation. "Speculative reports in the press cannot be called a leak," finance minister and leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said.The trouble began when Azad got up to say that government policies were responsible for the deaths being reported. "The PM should come here and explain," he said.Naidu immediately responded, "This is an atrocious statement. Leader of opposition is insulting the nation by making such remarks, by comparing this with Pakistan terror attacks. It is an anti-national statement. Pakistan will use this statement. You want to give a certificate to Pakistan. The entire Congress party should apologise."