Outlook apologises for quoting Rajnath erroneously

The Outlook magazine has admitted to have 'erroneously' attributed to Home Minister Rajnath Singh for Hindu leader remark which created a storm in Lok Sabha yesterday.

In a statement released by the weekly magazine late Monday night, the magazine regretted the lack of diligence in verifying the source of the statement and said it was not their intention to denigrate the home minister or Parliament.

"In a Lok Sabha debate on November 30, 2015, Mr. Mohammad Salim, the honorable Member of Parliament of the CPI-M, referred to an Outlook cover story ("The Mirror States", dated November 16, 2015)," the statement said.

"In this story, a remark ("first Hindu ruler after 800 years") made by the late Ashok Singhal of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad was erroneously attributed to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Outlook deeply regrets the lack of diligence in verifying the source of the statement. It was not our intention to denigrate the home minister or Parliament. Outlook sincerely regrets the embarrassment caused to Mr. Rajnath Singh and Mr. Mohammad Salim. The online version of the said article has been corrected to put the facts on record," the Outlook magazine added.

Mohammad Salim had said in the Lok Sabha that in the wake of BJP's stupendous victory in the last general election Rajnath had claimed that Narendra Modi will be first Hindu ruler in 800 years at the Centre.

Rajnath had challenged Salim saying he never made this statement and the MP must authenticate where and when he had made it, else apologise to him and the House for making an irresponsible statement. The House also witnessed repeated adjournments over the issue. The statement of Salim was later expunged by the Speaker.