The head of India's opposition Hindu nationalist party has criticized the government for repealing a terrorism law that gave authorities extended powers. Lal Krishna Advani told reporters on Friday a special law is needed to deal with terrorism, calling it a global problem.
He said the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh repealed the law (Prevention of Terrorism Act) to please what he called "a certain section of society." The head of the Bharatiya Janata Party made the remarks on his way to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh state where gunmen attacked a disputed religious site claimed by both Hindus and Muslims earlier this week. All six militants were killed following a gun battle with security forces at the site. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack on the makeshift Hindu temple, but Hindu nationalists blame Islamic militants.