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Gandhiji is the father of our nation... I am against putting up statues of Godse: Rajnath Singh - Page4 - The Economic Times
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh insists that the Ghar Wapsi controversy hasn't affected the 'development agenda' of the Narendra Modi government but says all conversions should be stopped. In a freewheeling interview to ET's Rohini Singh & Aman Sharma, Singh says India wants to work together with Pakistan to root out terror but will not tolerate any kind of border violation. Law will take its own course in all terror cases even if they involve "Hindu terror", says Singh. He says the politics of polarisation should stop and adds that no one in public life should make provocative statements that could disrupt communal harmony
The skirmish at the Indo-Pak border...When will it end?
Rajnath Singh: Pakistan should stop this cross-border firing. After the new government was formed, our PM invited the PMs of neighbouring countries. We wanted to give the message that we are with our neighbours and want a cordial relationship. Hum haath milane tak hi nahin par dil milana chahte the (We wanted a meeting of hearts, not just handshakes). But repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan - just why do they do it despite getting a drubbing? Whenever there has been a war with Pakistan, it has faced a humiliating defeat. And here also, whenever there have been ceasefire violations, it is obvious our border forces will retaliate.
But haven't there been ceasefire violations on our part?
Rajnath Singh: Not at all. There are strict instructions not to.
But that's what Pakistan has been alleging...
Rajnath Singh: They might be having internal problems and they are trying to divert the attention of the masses there by saying all this.
After the Peshawar attack, do you think Pakistan is imploding? What would your advice to Pakistan be?
Rajnath Singh: After the incident in Peshawar, we thought they would be serious about dealing strictly with terror. In fact, as its neighbour, even India could have helped in dealing with terrorism there.
India is reacting to Pakistani firing aggressively, leading to a spiral. Is resuming talks not the correct approach? Why can't India break the ice?
Rajnath Singh: Only Pakistan can decide that. We can't have talks just for the sake of talks. They have to be fruitful.
So India can't break the ice?
Rajnath Singh: We don't agree that there is any ice that needs to be broken.
What is the reason for the firing now? Is it because of the visit of Barack Obama?
Rajnath Singh: No. Before this also there have been repeated ceasefire violations. I won't connect this with the Obama visit.
If Pakistan keeps on plotting terror strikes, will India respond by bombing terror camps in Azad Kashmir?
Rajnath Singh: First, we expect Pakistan to act on the terror camps. We hope such a situation isn't created where we need to intervene. The situation that is arising because of terrorism stemming from Pakistan and its inability to effectively deal with it...the international community should also take cognisance of it. Terrorism isn't just the problem of one country.
There is a controversy raging over the "terror boat" incident. Congress is questioning government assertion that it was a terror plot.
Rajnath Singh: The people who were on that boat were in touch with people in the Pakistan government and its army officials. That can only mean that this was a terror plot. Over the last few days we have also been collecting more information on the incident and we will even be able to present evidence of that.
So they weren't smugglers as some allege?
Rajnath Singh: The intercepts indicate that they weren't mere smugglers. They were in touch with people in the army. Why will they contact Pakistan army? Why will they contact someone sitting in Thailand? If they were smugglers they would have spoken to a drug lord and not people sitting in the Pakistan army and government. What our defence minister has said is based on facts.
But Congress is giving it a different spin.
Rajnath Singh: Maybe there is a difference of opinion with the Congress on the issue because they don't have all the information. On an incident like this I would expect the support of the entire nation.
Has Pakistan deliberately weakened its case against 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi helping him get bail?
Rajnath Singh: Pakistan had committed that they won't allow Lakhvi to go free. They have detained him again, so let's see. But all I would like to say is that there should be no difference between words and deeds.
Pakistan has compared the 26/11 trial to slow progress of Samjhauta case in India and Swami Aseemanand getting bail. How vigorously will the government pursue the case against the so-called 'Hindu' terrorists given the political stance BJP has taken in the past?
Rajnath Singh: Terror is terror. I don't believe there is Islamic terror or Hindu terror. Whoever is guilty in terror cases will not be spared in India.
Even on the so called Hindu terror cases?
Rajnath Singh: Yes, yes. We have to go beyond caste, creed and religion on terror matters. Terrorism is terrorism. Uska koi roop rang nahin hota hai. (Terror has no colour or creed).
But a lot of these cases are at trial stage only....
Rajnath Singh: Whatever the courts will decide...There will be no dishonesty on our part in pursuing any of these cases. NIA is investigating everything. If Pakistan has any evidence they should give. We had given an entire dossier on the 26/11 case to them.
So your government will not soften its stance in these cases?
Rajnath Singh: Anyone who commits a crime will not be forgiven.
What are your thoughts on the Ghar Wapsi issue and reports that organisations linked to the RSS have a price tag for converting Muslims and Christians back to Hinduism?
Rajnath Singh: All parties should come to a consensus on the issue of conversion. This has been happening for a long time and it should stop. Political parties should be ready to get the anti-conversion bill.
So what will your advice be to these groups?
Rajnath Singh: I want to advise everyone to stop conversions - it's been going on for long. I am not talking about this specific incident. Conversions have been going on for long. We should see this in totality. Our government is ready to bring this bill.
Are you seeking a total ban on conversion or only on conversion by force and fraud?
Rajnath Singh: If someone wants to convert voluntarily then there should be a proper system. He should seek the permission of some competent authority, give an affidavit, which is the process in a lot of states. It's not that we are asking for the anticonversion bill for the first time. Congress-ruled states have also passed anti-conversion bills.
The government was elected to power on a development platform. Don't issues like Ghar Wapsi divert attention from the development agenda of the government?
Rajnath Singh: We are concentrating on development and good governance. Our focus will not get diverted by these incidents.
Has RSS been given the message to control fringe elements?
Rajnath Singh: RSS doesn't get involved in such activities.
What's your opinion on love jihad?
Rajnath Singh: I fail to understand what it is (laughs). I have been trying to understand it for months now.
But BJP MP Yogi Adityanath has spoken a lot on the issue...
Rajnath Singh: I will speak to him about it someday (laughs). There are some things that are very hard to understand. I read about it but couldn't understand it.
Some people say there has been a rise in communal temperature since BJP came to power?
Rajnath Singh: Politics of polarisation should stop. Uss se sarkaar banaye jaa sakti hai lekin desh nahin banaya jaa sakta (Polarisation can help you make governments but not the country
But there have been allegations against your party that you attempted to polarise to win the Lok Sabha elections. The Election Commission had asked Amit Shah for an explanation.
Rajnath Singh: We have never attempted to polarise. There was a wrong interpretation of Amit Shah's speech, which he clarified too. When I speak, can you ever accuse me of polarisation? Did Modi's statements ever attempt to polarise.
But the statements of Yogi Adityanath?
Rajnath Singh: Everyone in politics should be cautious. No one should indulge in an activity or make a statements that could give rise to disharmony in society. I am not saying this for a particular individual. India is a diverse country and people in politics should work towards keeping it united.
What's your view on communal violence bill?
Rajnath Singh: Congress prepared it but wasn't able to pass it. It's not in our priority list. The existing laws are enough to tackle the issue.
The Hindu Mahasabha is saying it wants to install statue of Nathuram Godse across India before the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Rajnath Singh: Gandhiji is the father of our nation. This should be remembered by everyone. His views on social, cultural and all other issues, I believe in them from my heart. I believe that he was always relevant, is relevant and will always be relevant.
You are the number 2 in this government...
Rajnath Singh: What is this number 2, number 3 (laughs)...I am a minister. I am one of the ministers...
Industrialists at a recent CII meeting had expressed disappointment that there is lot of talk but no action on economic front.
Rajnath Singh: The last government had destroyed the economy so much...till the time we do not recoup that, our industrialists will understandably remain unhappy. But we are making all efforts in that direction. We have recouped a lot...we will do more.
But what are the important things that you feel the government has done?
Rajnath Singh: When it comes to price control...ok...one can say that in international market, the prices of crude oil have decreased so petrol and diesel have become cheaper. But just because of this reason the wholesale price index or consumer price index has come down — that is not true. Wholesale Price Index has come down almost to 0%. Consumer Price Index has also come down to almost 2.2%, it is dipping every day. International community has also started to think that they should invest in India. I am not saying that investment has started but such an atmosphere has come into being.
Are you insisting on a BJP CM in J&K?
Rajnath Singh: This will be solved only after talks. The state has fallen back a lot on development front and has got left behind. We have to bring the state ahead.
Will J&K have a government without BJP?
Rajnath Singh: There needs to be a stable government. They should think on that.
The government has faced a number of controversies of late...
Rajnath Singh: Haven't you seen what all was circulated about me? Till what length people go...making a mountain out of a molehill. Kaise Bhagwan in logo ko maaf karega? (How will God forgive such people?)
Is this all due to infighting in your party?
Rajnath Singh: There is no infighting in party.
So all this is media creation?
Rajnath Singh: Does media do such things?
So someone must be spreading this?
Rajnath Singh: Society has many kinds of people
How's been the experience of working with PM?
Rajnath Singh: Excellent. He is very imaginative, a visionary...I have seen him from up close for the last oneand-a-half-years since the campaign began. He wants to minimise income disparity in the country...I am highly influenced by him.
How do you rate the performance of Amit Shah as BJP President?
Rajnath Singh: Excellent.
He has been discharged in the Sohrabuddin case? Was the CBI case politically motivated?
Rajnath Singh: We have been saying that since earlier. We have always said it is a false case and a conspiracy to trap him. The truth can be falsified for 2-4 years but not always. Now, it has come out in the open.
What is your advice for the Congress? Who can revive it: Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka?
Rajnath Singh: This is their internal decision.
The ban on Uber Cabs was criticised by your Cabinet colleague Nitin Gadkari...
Rajnath Singh: Gadkariji himself told me he had not said anything of that sort and his comments were misinterpreted.
Will you become UP Chief Minister again?
Rajnath Singh: CM to mein reh chuka hun (I have already been CM). Let me work where I am right now.
There's been allegations that SP government hasn't been able to control law & order situation.
Rajnath Singh: Yes, yeh sankat gehra hota ja raha hai (this problem is getting grave in UP). The situation there is serious. We are ready to help the UP government to overcome the law and order challenges.
Are you open to use Army or IAF against Naxals?
Rajnath Singh: No comments.
Will you be able to wipe out Naxals?
Rajnath Singh: I would appeal to them to leave the path of violence. Woh hinsa choden, nahi to hinsa chodni padegi (They should leave violence or they will have to leave violence
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh insists that the Ghar Wapsi controversy hasn't affected the 'development agenda' of the Narendra Modi government but says all conversions should be stopped. In a freewheeling interview to ET's Rohini Singh & Aman Sharma, Singh says India wants to work together with Pakistan to root out terror but will not tolerate any kind of border violation. Law will take its own course in all terror cases even if they involve "Hindu terror", says Singh. He says the politics of polarisation should stop and adds that no one in public life should make provocative statements that could disrupt communal harmony
The skirmish at the Indo-Pak border...When will it end?
Rajnath Singh: Pakistan should stop this cross-border firing. After the new government was formed, our PM invited the PMs of neighbouring countries. We wanted to give the message that we are with our neighbours and want a cordial relationship. Hum haath milane tak hi nahin par dil milana chahte the (We wanted a meeting of hearts, not just handshakes). But repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan - just why do they do it despite getting a drubbing? Whenever there has been a war with Pakistan, it has faced a humiliating defeat. And here also, whenever there have been ceasefire violations, it is obvious our border forces will retaliate.
But haven't there been ceasefire violations on our part?
Rajnath Singh: Not at all. There are strict instructions not to.
But that's what Pakistan has been alleging...
Rajnath Singh: They might be having internal problems and they are trying to divert the attention of the masses there by saying all this.
After the Peshawar attack, do you think Pakistan is imploding? What would your advice to Pakistan be?
Rajnath Singh: After the incident in Peshawar, we thought they would be serious about dealing strictly with terror. In fact, as its neighbour, even India could have helped in dealing with terrorism there.
India is reacting to Pakistani firing aggressively, leading to a spiral. Is resuming talks not the correct approach? Why can't India break the ice?
Rajnath Singh: Only Pakistan can decide that. We can't have talks just for the sake of talks. They have to be fruitful.
So India can't break the ice?
Rajnath Singh: We don't agree that there is any ice that needs to be broken.
What is the reason for the firing now? Is it because of the visit of Barack Obama?
Rajnath Singh: No. Before this also there have been repeated ceasefire violations. I won't connect this with the Obama visit.
If Pakistan keeps on plotting terror strikes, will India respond by bombing terror camps in Azad Kashmir?
Rajnath Singh: First, we expect Pakistan to act on the terror camps. We hope such a situation isn't created where we need to intervene. The situation that is arising because of terrorism stemming from Pakistan and its inability to effectively deal with it...the international community should also take cognisance of it. Terrorism isn't just the problem of one country.
There is a controversy raging over the "terror boat" incident. Congress is questioning government assertion that it was a terror plot.
Rajnath Singh: The people who were on that boat were in touch with people in the Pakistan government and its army officials. That can only mean that this was a terror plot. Over the last few days we have also been collecting more information on the incident and we will even be able to present evidence of that.
So they weren't smugglers as some allege?
Rajnath Singh: The intercepts indicate that they weren't mere smugglers. They were in touch with people in the army. Why will they contact Pakistan army? Why will they contact someone sitting in Thailand? If they were smugglers they would have spoken to a drug lord and not people sitting in the Pakistan army and government. What our defence minister has said is based on facts.
But Congress is giving it a different spin.
Rajnath Singh: Maybe there is a difference of opinion with the Congress on the issue because they don't have all the information. On an incident like this I would expect the support of the entire nation.
Has Pakistan deliberately weakened its case against 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi helping him get bail?
Rajnath Singh: Pakistan had committed that they won't allow Lakhvi to go free. They have detained him again, so let's see. But all I would like to say is that there should be no difference between words and deeds.
Pakistan has compared the 26/11 trial to slow progress of Samjhauta case in India and Swami Aseemanand getting bail. How vigorously will the government pursue the case against the so-called 'Hindu' terrorists given the political stance BJP has taken in the past?
Rajnath Singh: Terror is terror. I don't believe there is Islamic terror or Hindu terror. Whoever is guilty in terror cases will not be spared in India.
Even on the so called Hindu terror cases?
Rajnath Singh: Yes, yes. We have to go beyond caste, creed and religion on terror matters. Terrorism is terrorism. Uska koi roop rang nahin hota hai. (Terror has no colour or creed).
But a lot of these cases are at trial stage only....
Rajnath Singh: Whatever the courts will decide...There will be no dishonesty on our part in pursuing any of these cases. NIA is investigating everything. If Pakistan has any evidence they should give. We had given an entire dossier on the 26/11 case to them.
So your government will not soften its stance in these cases?
Rajnath Singh: Anyone who commits a crime will not be forgiven.
What are your thoughts on the Ghar Wapsi issue and reports that organisations linked to the RSS have a price tag for converting Muslims and Christians back to Hinduism?
Rajnath Singh: All parties should come to a consensus on the issue of conversion. This has been happening for a long time and it should stop. Political parties should be ready to get the anti-conversion bill.
So what will your advice be to these groups?
Rajnath Singh: I want to advise everyone to stop conversions - it's been going on for long. I am not talking about this specific incident. Conversions have been going on for long. We should see this in totality. Our government is ready to bring this bill.
Are you seeking a total ban on conversion or only on conversion by force and fraud?
Rajnath Singh: If someone wants to convert voluntarily then there should be a proper system. He should seek the permission of some competent authority, give an affidavit, which is the process in a lot of states. It's not that we are asking for the anticonversion bill for the first time. Congress-ruled states have also passed anti-conversion bills.
The government was elected to power on a development platform. Don't issues like Ghar Wapsi divert attention from the development agenda of the government?
Rajnath Singh: We are concentrating on development and good governance. Our focus will not get diverted by these incidents.
Has RSS been given the message to control fringe elements?
Rajnath Singh: RSS doesn't get involved in such activities.
What's your opinion on love jihad?
Rajnath Singh: I fail to understand what it is (laughs). I have been trying to understand it for months now.
But BJP MP Yogi Adityanath has spoken a lot on the issue...
Rajnath Singh: I will speak to him about it someday (laughs). There are some things that are very hard to understand. I read about it but couldn't understand it.
Some people say there has been a rise in communal temperature since BJP came to power?
Rajnath Singh: Politics of polarisation should stop. Uss se sarkaar banaye jaa sakti hai lekin desh nahin banaya jaa sakta (Polarisation can help you make governments but not the country
But there have been allegations against your party that you attempted to polarise to win the Lok Sabha elections. The Election Commission had asked Amit Shah for an explanation.
Rajnath Singh: We have never attempted to polarise. There was a wrong interpretation of Amit Shah's speech, which he clarified too. When I speak, can you ever accuse me of polarisation? Did Modi's statements ever attempt to polarise.
But the statements of Yogi Adityanath?
Rajnath Singh: Everyone in politics should be cautious. No one should indulge in an activity or make a statements that could give rise to disharmony in society. I am not saying this for a particular individual. India is a diverse country and people in politics should work towards keeping it united.
What's your view on communal violence bill?
Rajnath Singh: Congress prepared it but wasn't able to pass it. It's not in our priority list. The existing laws are enough to tackle the issue.
The Hindu Mahasabha is saying it wants to install statue of Nathuram Godse across India before the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Rajnath Singh: Gandhiji is the father of our nation. This should be remembered by everyone. His views on social, cultural and all other issues, I believe in them from my heart. I believe that he was always relevant, is relevant and will always be relevant.
You are the number 2 in this government...
Rajnath Singh: What is this number 2, number 3 (laughs)...I am a minister. I am one of the ministers...
Industrialists at a recent CII meeting had expressed disappointment that there is lot of talk but no action on economic front.
Rajnath Singh: The last government had destroyed the economy so much...till the time we do not recoup that, our industrialists will understandably remain unhappy. But we are making all efforts in that direction. We have recouped a lot...we will do more.
But what are the important things that you feel the government has done?
Rajnath Singh: When it comes to price control...ok...one can say that in international market, the prices of crude oil have decreased so petrol and diesel have become cheaper. But just because of this reason the wholesale price index or consumer price index has come down — that is not true. Wholesale Price Index has come down almost to 0%. Consumer Price Index has also come down to almost 2.2%, it is dipping every day. International community has also started to think that they should invest in India. I am not saying that investment has started but such an atmosphere has come into being.
Are you insisting on a BJP CM in J&K?
Rajnath Singh: This will be solved only after talks. The state has fallen back a lot on development front and has got left behind. We have to bring the state ahead.
Will J&K have a government without BJP?
Rajnath Singh: There needs to be a stable government. They should think on that.
The government has faced a number of controversies of late...
Rajnath Singh: Haven't you seen what all was circulated about me? Till what length people go...making a mountain out of a molehill. Kaise Bhagwan in logo ko maaf karega? (How will God forgive such people?)
Is this all due to infighting in your party?
Rajnath Singh: There is no infighting in party.
So all this is media creation?
Rajnath Singh: Does media do such things?
So someone must be spreading this?
Rajnath Singh: Society has many kinds of people
How's been the experience of working with PM?
Rajnath Singh: Excellent. He is very imaginative, a visionary...I have seen him from up close for the last oneand-a-half-years since the campaign began. He wants to minimise income disparity in the country...I am highly influenced by him.
How do you rate the performance of Amit Shah as BJP President?
Rajnath Singh: Excellent.
He has been discharged in the Sohrabuddin case? Was the CBI case politically motivated?
Rajnath Singh: We have been saying that since earlier. We have always said it is a false case and a conspiracy to trap him. The truth can be falsified for 2-4 years but not always. Now, it has come out in the open.
What is your advice for the Congress? Who can revive it: Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka?
Rajnath Singh: This is their internal decision.
The ban on Uber Cabs was criticised by your Cabinet colleague Nitin Gadkari...
Rajnath Singh: Gadkariji himself told me he had not said anything of that sort and his comments were misinterpreted.
Will you become UP Chief Minister again?
Rajnath Singh: CM to mein reh chuka hun (I have already been CM). Let me work where I am right now.
There's been allegations that SP government hasn't been able to control law & order situation.
Rajnath Singh: Yes, yeh sankat gehra hota ja raha hai (this problem is getting grave in UP). The situation there is serious. We are ready to help the UP government to overcome the law and order challenges.
Are you open to use Army or IAF against Naxals?
Rajnath Singh: No comments.
Will you be able to wipe out Naxals?
Rajnath Singh: I would appeal to them to leave the path of violence. Woh hinsa choden, nahi to hinsa chodni padegi (They should leave violence or they will have to leave violence
