Nationalist Congress Party-SP leader Jitendra Awhad's wife, Ruta Awhad has landed in controversy over her remarks allegedly comparing slain Al Qaeda terrorist Osama Bin Laden to late President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam.

During a public event in Thane on Thursday, Awhad made a controversial statement, suggesting that Osama bin Laden was not inherently a terrorist but was driven to become one due to societal factors.

In her speech emphasizing the importance of education, Awhad encouraged students to read bin Laden's biography to understand the circumstances that led to his radicalization. A video of her remarks quickly gained traction online.

"You must read the biography of Osama bin Laden. Just as APJ Abdul Kalam became the president, Osama bin Laden became a terrorist. But why did he become a terrorist? It was society that pushed him into it," Awhad said.

BJP lashes out at Ruta Awhad's remarks
The comments sparked immediate backlash, particularly from the BJP. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala criticized Awhad on X (formerly Twitter), condemning the comparison between bin Laden and former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

"NCP Sharad Pawar faction leader Jeetendra Awhad's wife defends and glorifies Osama bin Laden, comparing him to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam! Claims society made him a terrorist! This isn't new—Jeetendra Awhad has previously defended Ishrat Jahan (LeT terrorist). Leaders of the INDI-Congress-NCP alliance regularly defend terrorists like Yakub, Afzal, SIMI, Kasab, and others," Poonawala tweeted.

BJP spokesperson Pradip Bhandari also criticized the remarks, accusing the opposition INDIA bloc, which includes the NCP, of using appeasement tactics ahead of Maharashtra’s assembly elections.

"In a bid to appease their vote bank, the INDI alliance and MVA have adopted a new strategy—have leaders' spouses make statements that appear to show soft support for terror! Does Sharad Pawar or Rahul Gandhi endorse the view that Osama bin Laden was 'made' into a terrorist and that children should read the biography of terrorists?" Bhandari tweeted.

The remarks have escalated tensions between the Eknath Shinde-led government and opposition parties as they prepare for the upcoming elections. As of now, neither Jitendra Awhad nor the NCP leadership has responded to the controversy.

Agencies