THE HUG AND AFTER

Congress spokesman Manish Tewari: “Navjot Sidhu going to Pakistan in his personal capacity is a non-issue. The real issue is the relationship between India and Pakistan, the impact of India-Pakistan standoff on South Asia, and the complete absence of the NDA government’s policy towards Pakistan”.

Shatrughan Sinha, BJP MP: “Our former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his visit to Pakistan had hugged his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. Our present prime minister Narendra Modi had also hugged Nawaz Sharif during his visit. The whole thing has been blown out of proportion”.

Sambit Patra, spokesperson, BJP: “It’s sad that Navjot Sidhu has tried to implicate India in all this by saying Indians have small hearts. We condemn this…We want an answer on this not from Sidhuji but from Rahul ji. Is he trying to run a parallel government? What are you doing, Rahul Gandhi? Have you opened a Pakistan desk in India”.

Amrinder Singh Congress leader and Punjab Chief Minister: "I think it was wrong for him to have shown the affection he did for the Pakistan Army chief, I am not in its favour... The fact is that the man (Mr Sidhu) should understand that our soldiers are being killed every day”.

Ranjit Singh, kin of soldier killed by Pakistani forces: “We are feeling as sad and low as we felt when Pakistan army beheaded Paramjit and took away his head. They took away his head and turban. Instead of hugging, Sidhu should have brought the turban back. Instead of raising that and expressing concern , he hugged the army General”.

Lt Gen Depinder Singh: Jhappi paa layi te fer kee hoya (If they hugged each other, so what) It is the Punjabi way to greet somebody”.