‘Withdraw Statement’: Priyanka Chaturvedi Objects To Kanhaiya Kumar’s Tahawwur Rana Remarks – News18

Last Updated:April 11, 2025, 12:39 IST

Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana was extradited from the US in a major diplomatic victory for India. However, politics began on the matter as Kanhaiya Kumar dubbed the move a “diversion” for people.

Tahawwur Rana extradition politics: Priyanka Chaturvedi objects to Kanhaiya Kumar’s remarks (PTI Image)

Tahawwur Rana Extradition: Politics heated up over the extradition of Mumbai terror attacks accused, Tahawwur Rana, from the United States, as Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar’s “diversion tactic” remark for the BJP drew objection from Maharashtra ally Shiv Sena UBT.

Priyanka Chaturvedi, UBT’s Rajya Sabha MP, on Friday called Kumar’s remarks “unfortunate and disappointing” and asked him to “pay attention to what he says”.

Priyanka Chaturvedi Vs Kanhaiya Kumar Over Tahawwur Rana’s Extradition

Chaturvedi described Rana’s extradition as a “major achievement for the country” and asked Kumar – a sedition accused – to withdraw his statement.

“The extradition of Tahawwur Rana is a major achievement for the country. The decision and efforts made to bring him back to India are welcome and commendable. Tahawwur Rana deserves the death penalty. He should be hanged in a public square in Mumbai to serve as a message. I hope that after Rana, the Indian government will also seek the extradition of David Coleman Headley. Since six American citizens were also killed in the 26/11 attacks, the U.S. should support Headley’s extradition too,” the Shiv Sena UBT leader said.

“Kanhaiya Kumar’s statement on the matter is unfortunate and disappointing. He should pay attention to what he says and withdraw his statement immediately,” she added, objecting to the ally’s remarks.

What Had Kanhaiya Kumar Said About Tahawwur Rana’s Extradition?

Speaking to the reporters, Kanhaiya Kumar, who lost the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Bihar’s Begusarai seat by over 4 lakh votes and also lost North East Delhi 2024 general elections by over 1.3 lakh votes, alleged that the extradition of Rana is a ploy by the BJP to “divert” people’s attention from the “failure” of the government to fulfil its promises.

He also slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his “diplomatic victory” remark at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, in connection with Rana’s successful extradition by the US.

“Since the BJP has no achievement worth the name, it tries to divert public issues under one pretext or the other. The Waqf Bill was just another such example. The government claimed it was bringing the legislation for the benefit of poor Muslims. Who will believe this, coming from a dispensation that does not let members of the community offer’ namaz’ on their own rooftops?” he said.

“We all remember their rhetoric after the abrogation of Article 370. Every BJP leader was saying that now people of Bihar and other parts of the country will be able to purchase land in Kashmir. Show me one person who has been able to buy property there since then,” the former CPI and now a Congress leader added.

(With inputs from agencies)