New Delhi: Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, has made it clear that he is not in favour of installing statues of Nathuram Godse who had assassinated Mahatama Gandhi, the ‘Father of the Nation'.
“I am absolutely not in favour of statues of Godse being put,” Rajnath Singh said in an interview to The Economic Times.
“Gandhiji is the father of our nation. This should be remembered by everyone. His views on social, cultural and all other issues, I believe in them from my heart. I believe that he was always relevant, is relevant and will always be relevant,” he added.
Rajnath was replying to a question on Hindu Mahasabha's insistence on celebrating January 30, the day Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead by Godse, as 'shaurya diwas' and installing statues of Godse in different parts of the country that day.
The Union Minister strongly denied Pakistan's claim that Indian troops are violating the ceasefire along the International Border.
“Not at all. There are strict instructions not to do that,” Rajnath said.
“They might be having internal problems and they are trying to divert the attention of the masses there by saying all this,” Rajnath added.
Singh, however, offered a helping hand to Pakistan to deal with terrorism.
On the contentious issue of Pakistani terror boat, he said, “the people who were on that boat were in touch with people in the Pakistan government and its army officials. That can only mean that this was a terror plot.”
On the possibility of resumption of talks with Pakistan, he said, “Only Pakistan can decide that. We can't have talks just for the sake of talks. They have to be fruitful.”
On the issue of religious conversions, Rajnath ruled out the involvement of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in such activities and called for all political parties to come together to frame an anti-conversion law.
“All parties should come to a consensus on the issue of conversion. This has been happening for a long time and it should stop. Political parties should be ready to get the anti-conversion bill. Out government is ready to bring this bill,” he said.
When asked for his views on the emerging threat of the so-called ‘Hindu terrorists', Rajnath Singh said that it's wrong to differentiate between terrorists on the basis of caste, creed and religion.
“Terror is terror. I don't believe there is Islamic terror or Hindu terror. Whoever is guilty in terror cases will not be spared in India,” said Rajnath Singh.
“We have to go beyond caste, creed and religion on terror matters. Terrorism is terrorism. Uska koi roop rang nahin hota hai (Terror has no colour or creed),” added Rajnath.
