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

Last Updated:April 11, 2025, 13:21 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 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.

Further, taking to X, the Shiv Sena UBT MP said that the return of Rana has been India’s “priority not a diversionary tactic”.

“For every Mumbaikar and Indian the return of Tahawwur Rana, David Headley and their Pakistani handlers has always been a priority not a diversionary tactic. For sense of justice and closure for many who lost their loved ones and for those who survived the ordeal. Never forgive, never forget,” she posted on X.

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.

BJP Slams Kanhaiya Kumar For His Remarks

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla slammed Kanhaiya Kumar for “mocking a big diplomatic and legal win on terror”.

“Kanhaiya Kumar, Congress ecosystem is not happy because 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana has been extradited to India. Same Kanhaiya had labeled Naxalis as Shaheed,” the BJP leader posted on X.

“Back then, Cong did not take any action on 26/11 perpetrators despite Fali Major telling UPA govt – then they coined Hindu Terror to give Pak a clean chit and now they mock a big diplomatic and legal win on terror.. Congress ka Haath hamesha terror ke saath,” he added.

‘Fully Conviced Politics Being Played’: Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena UBT MP claimed that the BJP will “gain political mileage” by hanging Rana “before the Bihar elections”. Welcoming Rana’s extradition, Raut alleged that the BJP’s approach on the matter is not right and he is “fully convinced” that the party is “playing politics” over the subject.

“I am fully convinced that they are playing politics with this, and before the Bihar elections, they will hang him to gain political mileage — A terrorist with ties to Pakistan and a terrorist group, the mastermind of an attack like 26/11, if brought to India, should be welcomed. However, the BJP’s approach is not right. Whether it’s us who brought him here or whether it’s you, you’re claiming to have brought him for execution. In 2009, the NIA went to the U.S. and interrogated him,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)