Speaking at an annual event in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), senior Congress leader and former minister Salman Khurshid admitted that the party had Muslim blood on its hands, Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar has reported.

On being questioned about the anti-Muslim riots in the country and Babri demolition that took place when the Congress party was in power, Khurshid acknowledged the party’s hands were stained with Muslim blood, and being a Congress leader he too shared the blame for it.

Speaking to the media later, Khurshid said that he stands by his statement and doesn’t regret it.

Khurshid’s admission comes at a time when the Congress is constantly trying to portray the ruling BJP as anti-minority and the remark can hurt the Congress with national elections scheduled for next year.

Khurshid has recently been taking positions different from the party line, the latest being him staying away from the Congress’ Impeachment motion against Chief Justice Dipak Misra.

He had said that being dissatisfied with the Supreme Court’s verdicts shouldn’t be used as a ground for an impeachment motion and had completely dissociated himself from it.