Against the backdrop of the Supreme Court order barring politicians from seeking votes on caste, creed or religion, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said his party never did nor will it do politics of religious polarisation.
“After the Supreme Court order, the so-called secular parties should be cautious,” he said, adding that the court was “absolutely right” and politics should not involve caste or religion. BJP neither did politics of polarisation nor will it do in future. I feel if it was doing politics of polarisation, it would not have got clear majority in Parliament. It is for the first time that a non-Congress party has got clear majority in Parliament. Now to accuse that political party and its workers and volunteers is not right,” he said in an interaction with the media.
“Politics should not be on the lines of caste, cult or religion. Politics should be only in the name of humanity and justice,” he added.
Asked if his party will raise the issue of Ram temple in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Singh said the matter is sub-judice.
On the issue of demonetisation’s impact on Maoists, he said “It is correct that Naxals have weakened post- demonetisation... The intelligence information received by us shows their problems have increased. Their strength has reduced.”
He, however, refused to give any specific estimates about the damage inflicted on the guerillas but said the information suggests that massive problems are being faced by them post notes ban.
With China again blocking India’s bid in getting Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist by the United Nations, Singh said New Delhi was hopeful that China will agree with its position.”We still expect China to support our stand,” he said.
India had termed China’s move as an “unfortunate blow” and a step that confirms prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism.
China was the only member in the 15-nation UN body to put a hold on India’s application with all other 14 members of the Council supporting New Delhi’s bid to place Azhar on the sanctions list.