Even as the Opposition stands together in condemning Pakistan for insulting Kulbhushan Jadhav’s mother and wife, Samajwadi Party (SP) parliamentarian Naresh Agrawal on Wednesday justified the humiliation saying the alleged Indian spy was a “terrorist” for Pakistan.
Speaking to media outside Parliament House, Agrawal said: “If they (Pakistan) consider Kulbhushan Jadhav as a terrorist then they will have to treat him like one. In our country too we should treat terrorists the same way.”
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The comment was slammed by his colleagues including Opposition leaders while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Subramanian Swamy going to the extent of demanding his termination.
“Parliamentary Affairs Minister should introduce resolution seeking Naresh Agrawal’s apology to the house and deep regret”
“If he refuses we should move motion to examine whether his conduct is not befitting that of an MP and therefore his membership should be terminated,” the firebrand leader said.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said Opposition has the right to criticise the Union government but should not be careful in matters of national interest.
“He (Agrawal) has the freedom to speak his mind as well as oppose the Centre. But he should not get carried away and start opposing the nation’s interest just for the sake of opposing the government,” Ahir said.
The Pakistani authorities have been criticised for asking Jadhav’s mother and wife to remove their mangalsutra, bangles, footwear and bindi and getting their dress changed before meeting the alleged Indian spy.
Jadhav, who is on death row on charges of spying and terrorism, met his mother Avanti and wife Chetankul on Monday after 22 months of his arrest by Pakistan.
Pakistan Foreign Office on Wednesday said the shoes Jadhav’s wife were confiscated as a “metallic substance” had been detected in them, after India accused Islamabad of not returning her shoes after the meeting.