Togadia attacks Modi over saree, shawl diplomacy with Pak

Jaipur: Terming India’s policy towards Pakistan as a “failure”, VHP chief Praveen Togadia today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should put an end to the “saree, shawl” diplomacy following the Gurdaspur terror attack and exhibit a “strong will” like Indira Gandhi to deal with it.

“Diplomacy of saree, shawl and mango is enough for now. India should stop all dialogue with Pakistan and start preparing to teach a lesson to the country, which is sending AK 47-armed Jihadists for carrying out attacks,” Togadia told reporters.

Condemning yesterday’s terror attack in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district, he said “India’s foreign policy with regard to Pakistan has failed. India’s failure in punishing the plotters of Mumbai attacks encouraged them (Pakistan) to carry out more attacks in our country.”

Taking a jibe at the Modi government, he said VHP had confidence that under the BJP rule, Dawood Ibrahim will be brought back to India and punished “but Dawood was not brought to India instead Pakistan sent more terrorists to spread terrorism.”
Describing Indira Gandhi as a leader with a “strong will”, the VHP leader said Modi should show same determination while dealing with Pakistan.

“Former PM India Gandhi had shown a strong will and Modi should also show such will and divide Pakistan into three pieces,” he said, referring to the 1971 war with Pakistan which led to its division and creation of Bangladesh.

Asked how he saw Modi’s “56-inch chest” comment in relation to Pakistan, he said, “Such remarks are sufficient to come to power but when you are in power, your actions speak.”

Asking Modi to prove his “mettle by action”, the VHP leader said, “I believe he will allow a cross border strike in PoK and Pakistan to bring back wanted terrorists.”

“When the US can carry out a strike for Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan, why can’t we carry out such a surgical strike there for our most wanted terrorists?” he asked.

“People of the nation are in a state of shock and anger after the Punjab attack and it is time for the government to act,” he said.

Critising actor Salman Khan and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi for making statements in support of 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon, who is on death row, Togadia said such people are “fit for Pakistan” and should be sent there.

He said those supporting Memon were encouraging terrorism.

Demanding strict action against pro-Pakistan separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, he deplored that Kashmiri pandits had still not been rehabilitated in the state.

“Kashmiri Pandits should have been rehabilitated by now but nothing has happened,” Togadia said, adding it was for the BJP to decide on whether it should continue its alliance with PDP.