Shiv Sena slams Sidhu for hugging Pak Army leader

Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has slammed cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu for hugging the Pakistan Army Chief at the recent swearing-in ceremony of former cricketer Imran Khan as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Referring to the incident, Mr Thackeray has lashed out against Sidhu in the editorial of party mouthpiece, Saamana, saying that he should have been banned from going to Pakistan for the oath-taking ceremony.

Mr Thackeray said that just as people who spoke about demonetisation and certain decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were treated as anti-national, Mr Sidhu, too, should be treated the same way. But the BJP had shifted that title to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, he said.

“The Modi government always treated persons who opposed their policies as anti-national. Relations with Pakistan are a very sensitive issue, considering the sentiments of crores of Indians. Mr Sidhu insulted our soldiers and this is a matter of the security of the country. Mr Sidhu’s behaviour was absolutely wrong and the government should take some stand over it. Otherwise, the government should not have allowed him to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistan PM, Imran Khan,” said Mr Thackeray.

Meanwhile, Mr Sidhu has refused to tender any apology saying that he hasn’t done anything wrong. While Mr Thackeray slammed Mr Sidhu’s attitude and targeted the Modi government, as well, the BJP responded saying it was Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s responsibility to deal with the issue.