Jadhav asked about ‘baba’ when saw no mangalsutra

Both the Houses of Parliament on Thursday condemned Pakistan for the illtreatment meted out in Islamabad to mother and wife of Kulbhushan Jadhav, who is on death row, after inviting them for the family reunion and using it for shameful and mischievous propaganda.

In an identical 4-page statement in both the Houses, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the meeting was portrayed by Pakistan as

a humanitarian gesture, but "both humanity and compassion were missing" as "there was a serious and gross violation of human rights of the family members of Jadhav and an intimidating atmosphere was created for them during this meeting.

"There are not enough words to condemn the same." she said.

Before coming to Parliament, Swaraj said she spoke to Jadhav's mother again who told her that Kulbhushan enquired how was his dad on seeing her without

Bindi or Mangalsutra, signs of a married Hindu woman. When she tried to speak in their mother tongue Marathi across the thick glass barrier, two Pakistani officials repeatedly interrupted her and then the intercom was switched off.

She said on the pretext of security, even the attire of the two ladies was changed. Jadhav's mother, who wears a sari only, was forced to wear Salwar and Kurta and both were forced to remove bindi, bangles and mangalsutra.

"They were taken for the meeting through a separate door and the Deputy High Commissioner of India did not get to see the change in attire. Otherwise, he would have objected," the minister said, adding that the meeting started without this official's presence.

After Sushma’s speech was read out in RS, leaders of all parties, led by Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress, associated with the minister's remarks. Azad said India cannot tolerate the misconduct with mother and wife of Jadhav as it is an insult and humiliation of 120 crore Indian mothers and sisters. He urged the government to ensure Jadhav remains safe so long as he is in Pakistan's custody.

In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan stopped any discussion on minister Swaraj's statement but agreed that all are in solidarity with the family. The minister said the ministry has lodged a strong protest on the ill-treatment to the two ladies.