Pak considers Jadhav terrorist, treats him like one: SP leader

Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Aggarwal on Wednesday kicked up a row by controversially stating that if Pakistan considers Kulbhushan Jadhav a terrorist, it would treat him like one – remarks the BJP dubbed “betrayal of national interest”.

Aggarwal also hit out at the media, saying why it was only talking about Jadhav when hundreds of Indians were lodged in Pakistani jails.

“What ideology a particular nation follows, it is known only to that nation. If Pakistan considers Jadhav a terrorist, then they will behave with him accordingly,” Aggarwal told a TV channel.

“Our nation should also treat terrorists in the same way, in a tough manner. I don’t understand why the media is only talking about Jadhav. There are hundreds of Indians lodged in Pakistani jails. Why they are not being talked about?,” he said.

Reacting to Aggarwal’s remarks, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said his comments were “symptomatic of betrayal of national interest by the Congress-led UPA over Pakistan”.

“They side with Pak, wine and dine with Pak leaders, abuse Indian Army chief, question surgical strikes, call Kulbhushan Jadhav a terrorist. Alas!” he said in a tweet.

Rao also wondered if Aggarwal was doing so as his Rajya Sabha term was expiring in a few months.

“Is he trying to become likeminded betrayers’ coalition candidate in UP RS polls? OR is he desperately trying to challenge Mani Shankar Aiyar as ‘Chief Anti-India propagandist’ to host next secret dinner for Pakistan?” he asked.