Tags: Pakistan , Uddhav Thackeray , Shivraj Patil

Mumbai, Jan 4: Former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has come under flak over his remarks on the 'valour behind the clamour' for expediting execution of Parliament attack convict, Afzal Guru.

"What is so brave about killing people?" Patil who quit as Home Minister after the November 26 Mumbai terror attacks, had told reporters in his native Marathwada region yesterday.

Such leaders are more dangerous than Pakistan. It needs to be checked whether the blood flowing in his veins is Indian or Italian, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray said, lambasting Patil over the remarks.

It is not Pakistan but Congress which will be India's nemesis, Thackeray said.

Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde condemned Patil's statement, describing it as unfortunate.

Afzal should be hanged as ordained by the Supreme Court. When our government comes to power, we will immediately carry out the death sentence, he said.

Saying that the demand for Afzal's hanging was "politically motivated", Patil had said, "What is hurry (in executing Afzal) when there are around 35 files pending (mercy petitions)?" Files of those involved in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case too are still pending, Patil had said.

Patil also asked whether killing men was an act of valour.

"We have not sent Afzal Guru to Pakistan. He is in a jail in India," he said.

Asked about the outdated weapons with police, Patil had said, "Who says police do not have weapons. Should an AK-47 be given to a traffic policeman? What will he do with that?

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