New Delhi: Asserting that India has been consistently trying to improve its ties with Pakistan, Home Minister Rajanth Singh on Saturday said if anyone raises questions over India’s sovereignty and self-respect, it will not be tolerated.
“We don’t want to raise questions over sovereignty and self-respect of any country in the world. But if anyone raises questions over the sovereignty and self-respect of India, then it will not be tolerated at all,” Singh told reporters.
The minister was replying to a question pertaining to a video, in which people in large numbers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are seen protesting against the Pakistani establishment and demanding freedom. “I have also seen (that video). As far as India is concerned, it is a sovereign country and so is Pakistan. We are continuously trying to ensure better relations between both the two countries. For this (reported protests in PoK) Pakistan has to take an initiative,” he said. He was speaking on the sidelines of the convocation ceremony of Kushabhau Thakre Patrakarita and Avam Jansanchar Vishwavidyalaya in Raipur, where he was present as the chief guest.
Prior to the programme, he chaired a meeting of senior police and paramilitary officials at the new circuit house here. Chief Minister Raman Singh was also present at the meeting in which counter-insurgency operations and development works in the Naxal-affected areas were discussed. “Some districts of Chhattisgarh are Maoist-affected and I have already appealed to those who are involved in Maoist activities that they should quit the path of violence,” the Union Minister said.
“If they (Naxals) leave the violence then talks can be held with them. There is no place for violence in the democracy. I have already said that they should quit violence,” he added. During the meeting, he reviewed the growth of Maoist- affected region and found it “satisfactory”. “I am satisfied with the pace of development under Raman Singh-led government in the Naxal-hit areas of the state. In the coming years, more development will be witnessed in such underdeveloped areas,” he said.