New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Minister and Muslim face of Samajwadi Party, Azam Khan, has stoked fresh controversy with his remark that the global superpowers like US, Russia must realize that last week's terror attacks in Paris was a 'reaction to their action in Syria and Iraq'.
Khan, while condemning the terror attack which killed 129 people, said that European cities 'cannot be lit up with the ill-gotten wealth from the oil reserves of Middle East'.
"Do you want to light up cities like Paris, known for their wine and party culture, with the money earned through illegally occupying oil reserves in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Iran? The bombardments in Iraq and Syria on suspected ISIS strongholds apart from killing innocent civilians are also rendering thousands homeless. What justification do they have for this?" Khan said.
The root cause of such attacks is interests of United States and its allies in West Asia, Khan said, adding that western powers have already destroyed countries, like Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, and to some extent, Iran.
"We should first see who killed the innocents first and who retaliated. Whoever kills innocent people, whether it is America or Russia or any group, is wrong...history will decide who is a terrorist and who is not," Khan said.
Last week, 129 people were killed in Paris as gunmen and suicide bombers attacked multiple targets.
Meanwhile, the BJP and Congress have denounced the controversial remark made by Khan saying it is an incorrect and wrong statement and every organization should condemn this.
"His statement is incorrect and very wrong. Be it political parties, social or religious organization within the society, everyone is condemning his statement," BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said.
BJP's Siddharth Nath Singh demanded an apology from Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and said, “Azam Khan's statement on Paris is highly condemnable and shame India. He is a responsible leader and should refrain from making such a comment.”
Congress leader PL Punia said, "Terrorism should be condemned and those who support them should also be condemned.”
