On his last day, war over Ansari’s words
TWO VPS Says democracy becomes tyranny if opposition denied right to criticise; India is most tolerant, feels Naidu
New Delhi Vice president-elect Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday dismissed allegations of insecurity among Muslims as a political propaganda, a day after his predecessor Hamid Ansari flagged the issue of “unease” among the country’s minority community.
Though Naidu did not name anyone, his comments are being seen a rebuttal to his predecessor, who told a state-run news channel on Wednesday that a feeling of unease and insecurity was creeping in among Muslims in India and that there was a breakdown of Indian values.
“Some people are saying minorities are insecure. It is a political propaganda. Compared to the entire world, minorities are more safe and secure in India and they get their due,” Naidu said.
Naidu’s rebuttal left many surprised as it came a day ahead of his swearing-in to the country’s second-highest constitutional post, considered neutral of political affiliations.
In his parting interview to Rajya Sabha TV, Ansari also pointed to an alleged failure of law enforcing agencies in doing their duty, seen as a reference to incidents of mob lynchings.
During Ansari’s farewell in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, senior lawmakers including Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad and CPM’s Sitaram Yechury referred to Ansari’s comments and appreciated the sentiments.
Naidu, a former BJP president, cautioned against singling out one community as it might result
Agenda of politics should be development. People try to use minority issues for political purposes
in adverse reaction from other communities.
“If you single out one community, other communities will take it otherwise. That is why we say all are equal. Appeasement for none, justice for all,” 68-year-old Naidu said. “Minorities got in prominent positions including constitutional responsibilities because there is no discrimination.” Ansari’s comments also drew a sharp rebuke from other RSS affiliates, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
The Indian Army has ordered the evacuation of a frontier Sikkim village near the site of the tense border between India and China, Chinese Communist party mouthpiece People’s Daily reported on Thursday.
China’s largest newspaper’s twitter handle also carried a picture showing the two points where the Indian military allegedly crossed the “mutually recognized boundary.”
The account given by the People’s Daily about the “evacuation of Nathang village” matches reports in some sections of the Indian media that have said the villagers have been asked to vacate their houses immediately.“Indian troops on Thu orders evacuation of Nathang village, near site of two-month standoff between #Chinese and #Indian armies,” the People’s Daily tweeted.
The Indian Army refused comments on the situation unfolding at the India-ChinaBhutan trijunction including the reported evacuation of the village. ››P4