‘Can pay tribute to Karkare, not respect him,’ says RSS leader, backs Pragya Thakur

Bhopal: Senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionary Indresh Kumar on Wednesday said although tributes can be paid to Hemant Karkare, the former chief of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) cannot be respected. Karkare had died in action during the 26/11 terror attacks.

Stating that the Congress-led government had used the "uniform" to inflict torture on Malegaon blasts accused Pragya Thakur even though her crime was yet to be proved, Kumar said, “It was improper and they shouldn’t have done that.”

“Aatanki hamle me maare gaye Hemant Karkare ko shraddhanjali di ja sakti hai, par unka aadar nahin kiya ja sakta (One can pay tributes to Hemant Karkare who died in a terrorist attack, but he cannot be respected).”