Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said it was time India taught a lesson to Pakistan following the Uri terror attack, and mocked the National Democratic Alliance government policy of making strong statements after every terror attack, and making surprise courtesy visits to Pakistan to engage it in talks.
Speaking to reporters at a media conference, Mr. Thackeray said Mr. Modi should fulfil the promises he made to the people when he came to power. “Mr. Modi has the mandate and it (the government) should teach a lesson to Pakistan. How India should respond is a question you should ask Mr. Modi. After the Pathankot attack too, there were strong statements made. But what happened? After things calmed down, we went to Pakistan and had hot tea?” Mr. Thackeray said, referring to the Prime Minister’s stopover at Lahore on Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif’s 65th birthday in December 2015.
“We have hot tea, and before the tears have dried, we wait for another terror attack. Is this the policy?” Mr. Thackeray asked.
Asked if he was advocating war with Pakistan, Mr. Thackeray said, “If a war happens, it should be in the national interest, not for electoral gains.”
Mr. Thackeray referred to the treatment given to Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to Pakistan, and said it was important to understand the language Pakistan speaks and respond in that language.
“I read news reports about how the Pakistan government shut down all news channels when Singh was addressing the meeting, and was ungracious in its official dinner invitation. But we continue to welcome and host Pakistan’s former ministers, artistes and musicians,” Mr. Thackeray asked.
