New Delhi: Union finance minister Arun Jaitley asked those involved in incidents of intolerance to “introspect” whether they are adding to the quality of Indian democracy or reducing India’s “credibility as a country before the eyes of the world itself”.
Mr Jaitley said the BJP leadership has “outright shown our disagreement” with controversial statements made by some BJP leaders in the wake of the Dadri lynching. His strong words came against the immediate backdrop of ally Shiv Sena forcing the cancellation of Ghulam Ali’s concert and staging angry protests at the BCCI office ahead of talks between the Indian and Pakistani Cricket Board chiefs.
“All right-thinking sections will have to distance themselves from these kind of methodologies,” said Mr Jaitley.
Terming it as “an extremely disturbing trend” where some people have been resorting to vandalism as an instrument of registering their protest or conveying their views, the minister said it was quite possible that in a large country like India there may be “divergent views” on many subjects.
“But we had a tradition of civility in conveying those different opinions. Also particularly because some of these issues are extremely serious,” said the Union minister.
When asked about the Sena’s protest at the BCCI office, Mr Jaitley made it clear that he would only urge the ally that it must realise that it is part of the Central and state governments and has a responsibility.
“Issues like relations with neighbouring countries will have to be conducted on the basis of a very well thought-out strategy. They can’t be conducted in a manner on the streets itself... That can’t decide how we deal with our neighbouring countries. And, therefore, I think it is extremely important that every political party, including my friends in the Shiv Sena, realises the importance of this,” said the Union minister.
Asked about the Sena’s protest tactics, he said the same standard of civility applies to all.
On “motormouths” inside the party, Mr Jaitley said, “Party chief has told them that their statements are not appreciated. They have been put on notice.”
