Rahul too blames Indira for world cup debacle
Submission on B’desh creation causes diplomatic row.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi on Sunday attempted to refurbish his party’s nationalist credentials by claiming that his family was responsible for the dismemberment of Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh. In the process, he pushed the UPA government into a diplomatic crisis of sorts.
Mr Gandhi, who is keen to dispel the impression that his party was not serious on issues such as national security, on Sunday opted for a macho rhetoric in his campaign rallies. “Once my family decides something, it doesn’t go back. Whether it’s about India’s freedom, dividing Pakistan or taking India to the 21st century,” he said, addressing a public meeting in Bareilly Cantt.
The statement on dividing Pakistan does not gel with the consensus in the UPA over treating utterances against Pakistan as “indecorous and jingoistic”. The Congress and its friends have not spared any opportunity to attack the BJP for making Pakistan a campaign theme in domestic elections.
This is the first time that a Congress leader has formally accepted that Indian government and the then prime minister meddled in the internal affairs of Pakistan. India has so far been rejecting the charge of its involvement as a myth.
Although India played a major role in training the Mukti Vahini, New Delhi has been projecting the separation of East Pakistan and creation of Bangladesh as a result of internal strife in Pakistan.
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For Pakistan, which has always claimed that Bangladesh was created against the will of its people, Mr Gandhi’s statement came as a vindication of its long-held position.Reacting to Mr Gandhi’s remarks claiming the ”division” of the country in 1971 as an achievement of his family, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said this proves allegations that “India interfered in Pakistan’s affairs and tried to destabilise” it. “This is a clear admission of it,” she told Geo TV, arguing that the Gandhi family heading the Congress party ruled India for long.
Asked whether Pakistan would take up the issue with India, she said, “This is not new. Everyone knows what happened in 1971.” She also mentioned that the difference between Pakistan’s current defence capability and that of in 1971 is like “earth and sky”. “No one should entertain such thoughts in the present-day world as it could end up being risky and dangerous,” she said
The Congress defended the controversial statement of the Nehru-Gandhi family legatee. “Rahul Gandhi only talked about historic issues ina candid manner. The division of Pakistan was not India’s intention but was the consequence of war.
There is nothing wrong in reminding the country about historic facts,” said party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi His party colleague Satyavrat Chaturvedi said even “Vajpayee had hailed Indira Gandhi as Durga after the liberation of Bangladesh”.
But there is concern in the Congress that the statement could put off the Muslim community, which has strong belief in global Islamic brotherhood. As a matter of fact, this constituency, which has never been comfortable with hard rhetoric against Pakistan, has been viewing the BJP’s anti-”Mian Musharraf” rhetoric as a communal position.
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