BJP govt executing pogrom against Muslims in India: PM Imran

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) inspired ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been implementing a pogrom against the Muslims and all other minorities in India as well as in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

In an exclusive interview with 'a News', a Turkish news channel, the premier said the RSS was founded during 1920 and its founding fathers had been directly inspired by the Nazi party, and openly admired its racial and extremist policies.

"The RSS philosophy led to racial supremacists as even Mahatama Gandhi was assassinated by an RSS zealot. But when Modi came to power, he responded to a pogrom against the Muslims as evident from his tenure as chief minister of Gujarat where hundreds of Muslims were massacre and made homeless by the fanatic Hindus supremacists," he added.

PM Imran, to a question, said that contrary to former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was a moderate, Modi moved on the other way.

“The RSS followers believe that India is the country only for the Hindus to live in. Such a situation is not only dangerous for the Muslims, but also for the other minorities in India,“ he said, tracing back the historical reasons for the RSS-BJP policies against the Muslims and Christians, who had ruled the sub-continent.

'Modi responsible for tense ties between Pakistan, India'

Premier Imran agreed that Modi is responsible for tense ties between the two countries.

He said when he came to power, his first move was to immediately improve relations with India. He asked Modi to build on friendship and move forward to find solutions to the issues "but unfortunately, he did not respond".

"Modi’s whole election campaign was based upon whipping up jingoistic and anti-Pakistan sentiments," he observed.

PM Imran said that meritocracy and equation are guiding principles of Pakistan as the Founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah wanted a state based on research, democracy, justice and education.

'Government to provide support for protection of Hazara'

He said that the killing of Hazara community in Machh is a very unfortunate incident. He lamented that the community is being targeted by the militants and Da'ish, also known as Islamic State, claimed the recent killing of the said community in Quetta.

He said that the government will provide support for the protection of the Hazara people.

The prime minister said that the minorities enjoy equal rights in Pakistan as the constitution guarantees basic rights of all communities in the country.

He said the government will also ensure the protection of all minorities and communities.

'Adverse reaction imminent if Muslim values targeted in West'

The prime minister said he is well aware of Islamophobia in the Western world, adding that the Western communities are not realising and understanding the sentiments of Muslim Ummah about the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

He said that if the values of Muslims are targeted, an adverse reaction is imminent.

The prime minister said the United Nations and the world community should play their due role in restricting the right to freedom of speech against holy personalities and making a mockery of Muslims.

He said that the West must not support making blasphemous caricatures because it hurts the Muslims all over the world.

He said that the Kashmir issue is a lingering dispute between Pakistan and India, adding that the United Nations Security Council promised with Kashmir for providing an opportunity to decide about their future but India is the main hurdle in conducting referendum.

He said that the Modi-led government, after illegal and unilateral action of August 5, 2019, tried to change the demography of Kashmir to reduce the Muslim majority in the valley.

Premier Imran also said that senior Kashmir leadership has been detained by India. "War is not a solution of dispute between two nuclear powers and, therefore, Pakistan is sensitising the world community about Kashmir dispute and demands to conduct a referendum as promised the world body to Kashmiris."

Relations with US

Premier Imran said that Donald Trump offered Pakistan and India to play a mediation rule between the two countries but India refused to accept. "Pakistan is waiting for the resumption of position of Joe Biden and is expecting such role. He said Islamabad wants relations with the US on an equal basis.

Pakistan, he said, has given sacrifices for the US and paid a huge price for that but it always blamed Pakistan, adding that "we lost 70,000 people during war on terror and faced suicide attacks within the country.

'Pakistan cannot recognise Israel until resolution of Palestine dispute'

Replying to a question about relations with Israel, he said that Pakistan cannot recognise Israel until resolution of Palestine dispute according to aspiration of Palestinians. He said Kashmir and Palestine are similar disputes as Israel has occupied the Palestinian territory just like India acted the same on Kashmiris homeland.

The premier said that the government and the people of Pakistan have emotional relations with Kashmiris and Palestinians and Islamabad will never recognise Israel.

He said Pakistan has a very straightforward position and it was our founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who was very clear that there has to be just settlement, a homeland for Palestinians before Pakistan can recognise Israel.

Covid-19 pandemic

The prime minister went on to say that Pakistan handled the Covid-19 situation through an integrated strategy of smart lockdown on hot-spots in the country to protect the economy and needy people both. "Pakistan's economy cannot sustain a regular lockdown."

"The government, despite financial constraints, announced several packages and incentives for different sectors aiming to reduce adverse impacts of the pandemic." 

He said the government is in touch with China for Covid-19 vaccination in phases on a priority basis.

PM Imran also said that Pakistan and Turkey have a historical background of relationship and these relations will enhance more in coming days.

"Pakistan will never forget the Turkish and Malaysian support on Kashmir cause after Indian illegal act of August 5, 2019."

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP AND RADIO PAKISTAN