Union Minister of State for External Affairs, General V K Singh alleged that returning of Sahitya Academy awards by different writers and poets was being politicised.
“It is strange that the award winners are returning them for a cause which has not happened in the country for the first time. I think it is politics, more than anything,” Singh asserted.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the release of his autobiography in Hindi, General Singh said that it was not the first time any person’s face had been blackened. But this time this is being overplayed.
Defending the NDA government over Dadri , Singh said that the government respects all religion and caste and treat them equally. He said that the statement of Union minister Mahesh Sharma and others were their personal views as the Central government was committed to maintaining communal harmony.
General Singh however criticised a section of the people and even media for hyping small incidents for their benefits. On the issue of saffronisation, he said “ I think saffronisation is a symbol of sacrifice and there is nothing wrong in it.”
When refred to Nepal wherein China’s growing involvement is being seen in recent times, the Union minister said , “ We should see an incident in totality and the Indian government was minutely observing the situation there. Nepal is close to India and the PM was bestowed with a lot of affection and respect during his visit to the Himalayan kingdom.”