Rajnath Singh hits out at Pakistan, says take help from India if incapable of eliminating terrorism

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (Apr 11) launched a scathing attack on Pakistan stating that if the country finds itself incapable of eliminating terrorism originating from its territory, it must take New Delhi’s help.

Singh further warned Islamabad to be ready to face dire consequences if it tries to destabilise India via terrorism.

“If Pakistan attempts to destabilize India through terrorism, it will have to face the consequences. Pakistan needs to control terrorism. If Pakistan thinks that it is not capable of controlling it, if they feel they are not capable, then India is a neighbour, if they want to take India’s help, they should. India is ready to provide all assistance to combat terrorism,” he said in an interview with news agency ANI.

The Union defence minister further said that if Pakistan’s intentions are clear, it must take strong action against cross-border terrorism.

“They are our neighbours, and if their intention is clear that terrorism should end, they should do that themselves or take help from India…we both can end terrorism. But this is their call, I am just giving a suggestion,” he added.
‘Will not tolerate terrorists to operate within Indian borders’

The veteran BJP leader then said that India will not allow terrorists to operate within the country’s borders and that it will do everything to stop it.

“We won’t allow terrorists to operate within Indian borders. We will do everything to stop it,” he said. Asked if such action can be taken across the border, he said, “We will see what happens”.

His firm remarks come weeks after a report by the British daily The Guardian claimed that India conducted targeted killings of terrorists in neighbouring Pakistan.

Delhi rebuffed the claims calling them “false and malicious anti-India propaganda”.
‘Could not perform mother’s last rites,’ says Singh

Hitting out at the opposition over its accusations of an “undeclared emergency” under the BJP-led government, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recalled the arrests during the Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi government in the year 1975 and stated that he was jailed for eighteen months, and was not granted parole to visit his ailing mother. He could also not attend her last rites.

”I was not given parole to attend my mother’s last rites during the Emergency and now they (Congress) call us dictators,” the defence minister told news agency ANI.

“Those who imposed dictatorship through Emergency, they accuse us of being dictatorial,” he further said.

Singh said that he was made convenor for Mirzapur-Sonbhadra during the JP Movement against Emergency which was imposed in June 1975 and continued till March 1977.

“I was jailed as we were opposing Emergency. We used to agitate. We created awareness among people, how Emergency is dangerous and reflects dictatorial tendency,” he said.

Source » wionews.com