Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Aug 17: Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Najma Heptullah, today raised doubts on the intension of Pakistan ahead of Foreign Secretary-level talks between the two neighbouring countries in Islambad next week.
The Union Minister told reporters here today that the talks would be able to break the ice between the two nations only if the intention of Pakistan is good. “If their intention is good, then it surely will. Our intention is good. The intention of our leader is good, otherwise he would not have invited Nawaz Sharif in his oath ceremony. There has been a forward movement from our side but it takes two to tango,” she said.
Heptullah said the move by Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, to invite separatist leaders from Kashmir for consultations at New Delhi ahead of the talks between the two countries on August 25 in Islamabad would hamper the atmosphere built for the talks. “Yes, certainly. The atmosphere is getting good from our side and now they have to see how good their intention is,” she said.
The Union Minister Najma Heptullah said there should be no apprehensions about the Modi Government at the Centre as people have seen the work done by the previous BJP Government especially the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who offered a hand of friendship to Pakistan.
“People had suspicions that first time the BJP had come to power with such a majority and I don’t know why they had such suspicions. People had seen Vajpayee’s Government. What did he do for Kashmir and for India and Pakistan relations”, said Heptullah.
“No other Prime Minister in the world has travelled in a bus to other country with a message of friendship. Vajpayee went to Pakistan and offered a hand of friendship. I am sure, had Vajpayee won again in 2004 elections, the situation in Kashmir would have been different,” said the Union Minister.
Heptullah said Modi was treading the same path as Vajpayee and wants to take along the neighbouring countries. “Modi is treading the path shown by Vajpayee. The first evidence of that was when he called Sharif for his oath ceremony. And on August 15, he did not only talk about the development and prosperity of our own country, but called on the leaders of SAARC countries to come together and move forward,” she said.
The Minister said Muslims are the most backward community among the minorities. “Last week I met Modi. He told me that Muslims had not got the rights that a person should get for living,” she said. “We have to shove away hatred. Our Government under Modi talks about unity and brotherhood. He says together with all, development for all”, she added.
Heptullah said the Kashmiri Pandits have suffered a lot and the Centre wants that they should return to their homes. “They were made to leave their homes. Many of them are living in camps in Jammu, Delhi and elsewhere in the country. Is it not a loss for humanity? Is it not a violation of human rights? I am happy that Finance Minister allocated a separate amount for their rehabilitation in the budget, so that they return to their homes and with you together recreate the atmosphere of brotherhood,” she said.
The Union Minister this afternoon called on Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah here and discussed various issues pertaining to the Central schemes relating to the welfare of minorities.
“During the meeting main focus of discussion remained on the Centrally sponsored Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) and Scholarship Programme for the minorities in Jammu and Kashmir”, an official spokesman said here.
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