In the wake of the Naxal attack in Dantewada which claimed the lives of 75 CRPF personnel, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley on Wednesday accused the Home Ministry of having "slept" for four years and believing that social actions were the solution to the Maoist problem.
"The Home Ministry slept for four years. They did not realise the menace. They, perhaps, thought some economic and social actions will be a solution to this. They never realised that this is actually a war on India's Parliamentary democracy and a war through use of violence," Jaitley told an English news channel.
He, however, added that now for the first time the Home Ministry was "getting a feel of the problem" and demanded that the government must stand on a "strong and sure wicket" to fight the Maoist menace. Jaitley asserted that the whole country needs to realise that "we cannot have political compromise with Maoists".
"The state is legitimately entitled to protect its citizenry. If the state has to resort to use of force it is a natural power which a state must use to protect its sovereignty and its people," he said.
Slamming Naxalism, Jaitley insisted, "No organised group of an underground movement can claim power or parity with the state". He said greater co-ordination between Centre and the states was "absolutely necessary". Jaitley cautioned the Central government functionaries on making "misconceived remarks" against states.
"The entire country must speak in one language. BJP has always maintained that as a party with strong nationalistic credentials we stand shoulder to shoulder with the Central government (on the issue)," Jaitley said. PTI
