Salman Khurshid's Recollection of the Batla House Encounter: A Political Dilemma

Congress leader Salman Khurshid shared his experiences and actions following the Batla House encounter in 2008. He described persuading then-Union Minister Kapil Sibal to visit the site, only to find Sibal treated dismissively by police. Khurshid recounted their efforts to understand the incident, and the emotional reaction from Congress leadership.

Recounting the Batla House encounter, Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Tuesday revealed that both he and then-Union Minister Kapil Sibal had visited the site post-incident, but police personnel treated Sibal as an outsider.

Khurshid, speaking at the launch of 'Shikwa-e-Hind' by academician Mujibur Rehman, stated he wasn't part of the government during the 2008 event but convinced Sibal to visit. Despite police indifference, they examined the site to explore possible recommendations for an investigation.

Khurshid also highlighted the emotional toll the incident took on the Congress leadership, noting that pictures of the encounter brought tears to then-party president Sonia Gandhi. The BJP later criticized Khurshid and Congress for alleged Muslim appeasement.

(With inputs from agencies.)