Hindutva groups under Modi Sarkar have damaged India’s secular image: Mayawati

LUCKNOW: BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday said that US President Barack Obama’s remark on religious freedom in India reflects how activities of BJP’s parent organization RSS and its affiliates under eight months of Modi Sarkar have damaged the country’s secular image across the world.
Obama, in his speech from New Delhi’s Siri Fort auditorium on Tuesday, while referring to Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, had said that India will succeed so long as it is not splintered on religious lines.The comment kicked up a controversy with the Opposition describing it as criticism of activities of Hindutva forces under the Modi government, while Sangh Parivar members dubbing it as interference in India's internal matters.
Mayawati, in her statement, said that the three day visit of Obama was full of pomp and show. However, she added, before leaving, in a stinging observation, he also told Modi to follow Indian constitution and protect India from religious fanaticism and division. She said it can be a matter of debate that Obama's comment, the `sole super power', in the world are good for the country or interference in its matter, but it is clear that the communal and divisive activities of BJP has damaged India's reputation and left civil society across globe worried about the future.
Raising question whether Modi sarkar will be able to protect the humanitarian spirit of the constitution, the BSP chief said Obama only picked up the issue of `religious freedom' from the constitution, but her party has been demanding implementation of both `freedom of faith' and `social justice' enshrined in the constitution. She alleged that the NDA government has been overlooking the interests of dalits and marginalised sections of the society. She, however, did not specify the shortcomings in the deal and the clause to which NDA had objected earlier.
On Nuclear deal with the US, Maya said that in 2008, the UPA I had put its existence at stake to pass the deal in the parliament, but could not implement it because of several shortcomings. Now, she said, NDA government, which had earlier objected to several clause in the deal, has taken a U turn and signed another agreement. She also said that gain and loss form Indo-US agreements during Obama visit will depend on laws passed by legislative bodies of the two countries. She also said that the BJP is using Obama visit in its Delhi election campaign, which is unethical.