Home Min P Chidambaram stands by saffron terror remark

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said he stands by his “saffron terror” remark since he meant religious fundamentalism by the expression.

“Don’t lose the message in phrases. I cannot claim patent on the saffron terror phrase,” he said, adding that right wing groups in India were behind some of the blasts.

He, however, said the views of his party (Congress) on the issue is supreme and there was no difference between the party and the government on the issue.

The Union Home Minister was addressing reporters here as part of the monthly exercise.

On BlackBerry issue, he said in 60 days the access provided by RIM (Research in Motion), the maker of BlackBerry, would be reviewed.

On Kashmir, he said the government is ready to talk to any group in the trouble-torn state.

Chidambaram said in the Maoist affected areas, more SPOs (Special Police Officers) would be inducted from the local people.