NEW DELHI: The BJP criticised former vice-president Hamid Ansari on Wednesday over media reports citing “Pakistani journalist” Nusrat Mirza as alleging that Ansari invited him to India and that he shared the information he gathered during these visits with Pakistan’s ISI.
The BJP sought responses from both Ansari and Congress, stating that they must disclose the specifics of these trips, which apparently occurred between 2005 and 2011.
It is not the first time that Ansari has been targeted by the BJP, nor is it the first time that it has brought up his supposed Pakistani ties; the Modi government and the former vice-president had an unpleasant relationship even when the former was in power.
In response to the BJP’s charges, Ansari called them a “litany of lies” and stated, “I am compelled by my duty to national security in such matters and cannot comment.” The Indian government is the only organisation authorised to convey the truth and has access to all information.”
“You are free to say whatever you want about the former vice president. But you will be pursued if you criticise the political ideology of a candidate who has not yet been elected president. What has become of this nation?” Pawan Khera has tweeted.
Ansari, a professional diplomat, was chosen by the UPA for the Vice-President. He is only the second person, after Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, to have held the second highest constitutional post in India for two consecutive full terms. Three years of his second term, which concluded in 2017, were governed by the Modi administration.
Earlier this year, while participating in a virtual panel discussion organised by the Indian American Muslim Council with four US lawmakers, Ansari stated: “In recent years, we have witnessed the emergence of trends and practises that dispute the well-established principle of civic nationalism and substitute a new and fictitious practice of cultural nationalism… It aims to disguise an electoral majority as a religious majority… It seeks to differentiate citizens on the basis of their religion.”
The Ministry of External Affairs responded swiftly, stating that “the prejudices and political interests of the attendees” were as well-known as the track record of the event’s organisers. The assertion that others must defend our Constitution is arrogant and absurd.
Earlier this year, while participating in a virtual panel discussion organised by the Indian American Muslim Council with four US lawmakers, Ansari stated: “In recent years, we have witnessed the emergence of trends and practises that dispute the well-established principle of civic nationalism and substitute a new and fictitious practice of cultural nationalism… It aims to disguise an electoral majority as a religious majority… It seeks to differentiate citizens on the basis of their religion.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded swiftly, stating that “the prejudices and political interests of the attendees” were as well-known as the track record of the event’s organisers. The assertion that others must defend our Constitution is arrogant and absurd.
The BJP alleged on Wednesday during a press conference that journalist Nusrat Mirza had visited India as many as five times and was authorised to visit seven locations, as opposed to the usual four for foreign tourists. The BJP added, “India has been a leader in the battle against terrorism, yet the Congress administration welcomed a person who contributed intelligence used against our country and people.”
The party demanded that Congress, which was in power during the relevant time period, and Ansari educate the nation about these trips, adding that Ansari should clarify whether intelligence services had warned him that the journalist was sharing information with the ISI. The party also wants to know if Ansari “obtained permission from the Gandhis to invite the journalist.”
Interestingly, the BJP’s accusations coincide with the Congress starting a concerted media campaign against the BJP over two individuals recently arrested for assaults on Hindus with ties to the party, calling its anti-terror credentials into doubt.
The Congress dismissed the BJP’s charges on Wednesday, calling its “insinuations and innuendos” the “worst kind of character assassination.”
