AMN / New Delhi
Strongly condemning the Pakistan government arranging a ‘farcical’ meeting of Kulbhushan Jadhav with his kin, the Congress today said that Islamabad had insulted the people of India by its ‘inhuman’ behaviour.
The Congress also demanded that Jadhav be brought back to the country and asked the NDA Government to come out with a policy to ensure his return to India.
Talking to reporters here, AICC spokesman Gaurav Gogoi said, ‘Congress strongly condemns the behaviour of the Pakistan government . It was inhuman. Through their behaviour, they have insulted the people of India.’
Earlier India officially slammed Pakistan for its insensitive and callous way of handling the meeting of Kulbhushan Jadhav with his mother and wife in Islamabad on Monday.
In its first official reaction to yesterday’s meetings, New Delhi said the mother and wife were repeatedly harassed and heckled by Pakistani media, and the wife was made to remove her Mangalsutra, bangles and bindi under pretext of security precautions, much in utter disregard of her cultural sensibilities.
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Earlier External Affairs Ministry regretted that the conduct of the meeting by the Pakistani side violated the letter and spirit of understandings between two countries.
The mother of Mr Jadhav was prevented from talking in their mother tongue and under the pretext of security precautions, the cultural and religious sensibilities of family members were disregarded. This included removal of mangal sutra, bangles and bindi, as well as a change in attire that was not warranted by security. The Ministry said, despite repeated requests, the shoes of the wife of Mr Jadhav were not returned to her after the meeting. India cautioned against any mischievous intent in this regard.
Deputy High Commissioner was initially separated from family members and meeting was started without his presence and he could join only after pressing the matter with concerned officials. Even then, he was kept behind an additional partition that did not allow him access to the meeting as agreed. Apart form this, the Pakistani press was allowed on multiple occasions to approach family members closely and hurl false and motivated accusations about Mr Jadhav. This was despite a clear agreement that the media would not be allowed close access.
From the feedback received of the meeting, it appears that Mr Jadhav was under considerable stress and most of his remarks were clearly tutored and designed to perpetuate the false narrative of his alleged activities in Pakistan. His appearance also raises questions of his health and well being. India also regretted that contrary to assurances, the overall atmosphere of the meeting was intimidating insofar as family members were concerned.