At event for minorities, Sharad Pawar praises Pakistan

In what could come to haunt Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar later, during a special event for minorities at party headquarters in Mumbai on Saturday, he heaped praise on Pakistan for its hospitality alongside invoking issues like mob lynching and Article 370.

In his speech, Pawar also lashed out against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for not visiting the flood-affected areas of Maharashtra. Raising the issue of mob-lynching, he said that a particular community has been targeted in the name of hate. "Some people are trying to express nationalism and say 'I am an Indian', but I feel that is is not necessary for an Indian to say a certain something to prove his citizenry," said Pawar, adding, "However, a party is unnecessarily pushing the issue due to their vested political interests."

Speaking on the Centre's recent decision of abrogation of Article 370, Pawar said that the article existed to give some special powers to the citizens of J&K, which was predominantly a Muslim state. "By scrapping Article 370, the government wants to convey that they are opposing a minority state and in the process, this action of theirs will lead to more terrorism in the Valley," claimed Pawar.

Pawar also took a moment to praise Pakistan, the citizens of the country and the hospitality offered by them. "I have visited Pakistan and received their hospitality...It is a misplaced fact that people in Pakistan are unhappy. However, the present government has been spreading lies about Pakistan for their own political benefits," Pawar stated.

—Zee Media Newsroom