Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee may be walking the peace talk, but as far as the VHP goes, he’s treading on the wrong path. That’s why it has lashed out at the PM in a recent article in its Vishwa Hindu Samachar (VHS), ripping apart his peace initiatives with Pakistan. VHP joint general secretary Kaushik Mehta minces no words: ‘‘It’s unfortunate that the Prime Minister of a country like India has to express his helplessness in dealing with a neighbouring country.’’ The VHS is the VHP’s official publication and is published from Ahmedabad. The article, which appeared last week, lashed out at the BJP-led Government and Vajpayee for ‘‘bending backwards’’ in dealing with Pakistan. ‘‘It is under this Government’s rule that the highest number of terrorist attacks have occurred but still the Government and BJP leaders are creating an environment as if to show that Pakistan is innocent,’’ Dr Mehta writes. ‘‘Mr Atalji, ask people of your country how to deal with Pakistan not the US and its allies,’’ the article says. ‘‘Whenever there is an attack, these leaders who move around surrounded by a security blanket of Black Cat commandoes call press conferences and blame Pakistan. A tired PM expresses helplessness and says ‘Kya karein, dost badal sakte hain, padosi nahin (We can change friends, not neighbours).’ It is such a foolish statement from a Prime Minister,’’ Dr Mehta writes. ‘‘Such talk of retiring if the peace talks fail again indicates a tired mind which has given up on a troublesome neighbour,’’ he says. ‘‘But we should not forget what has happened in the past. They went dancing to Lahore in a bus with Dilip Kumar and Shatrugan Sinha in tow, what happened? Pakistan hit back with Kargil. They attacked you inside your own Parliament and what did you do? Instead of taking action, you want to talk peace. The NDA Government is becoming soft towards Pakistan and its terrorist activities in our country,’’ Mehta writes. The article states that the VHP was not ‘‘prasann’’ (pleased) with the NDA Government for expressing ‘‘laachari’’ (helplessness) in fighting terrorism. ‘‘The US does not listen to anyone when it comes to tackling terrorism nor can the UN stop it. It wanted to attack Iraq, it did not listen to anyone. Why do we have to keep begging the US to ask Pakistan to behave?’’ the article asks. Talking to The Indian Express, Dr Mehta said: ‘‘The VHP is clearly expressing its stand on Pakistan. Instead of a bus now we should take a tank to Lahore. It’s time to change. Why should a country like ours express helplessness against a small neighbour?’’ When asked if the VHP was not supportive of the BJP and Vajpayee, Dr Mehta said: ‘‘We are not making a political statement. This is the stand of the VHP which works for the welfare of Hindus.’’ ‘‘The VHP made Vajpayee the country’s hero after the Pokhran tests but what has happened after that? We continue to suffer in Kashmir and elsewhere due to constant terrorist attacks and there is no action,’’ he said. VHS editor Natubhai Thakkar tried hard to explain that the VHP is not criticising Vajpayee’s peace moves. ‘‘In principle, the peace initiatives seem alright. But we feel the NDA is tolerating too much of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism,’’ he said. Meanwhile, state BJP president Rajendrasinh Rana said the VHP being a non-political organisation it can take its stand on various issues. ‘‘I have nothing more to say,’’ Rana said. Most other BJP leaders, including spokeperson Nalin Bhatt, refused to comment.
