Hailing the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh for the encounter, he said the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government could never gather the courage to act strongly against such terrorists, but "our BJP government showed its brave face by killing the eight SIMI activists in the encounter".
Praising Madhya Pradesh Police, Singh said they should be rewarded for this "historic" and "brave" work.
Singh also said "our BJP-led NDA government was acting strongly against terrorists, both on the borders as well as within the borders but some selfish forces are attempting to weaken our country, so such controversial remarks are being given (by them)."
Responding to the controversial remarks of senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh, who questioned why only Muslims break jail and not Hindus, the minister said "the former CM's political shop has now been shut, and he is only trying to grab all the opportunity to remain in the limelight, so he is always seen making such controversial remarks related about the terrorists."
Pandey, who is Union Minister of State for HRD, was here for a "Run for Unity" programme today.