Vaidik condemns journalists for wrong portrayal of his interview to Pakistani media

Senior journalist Ved Pratap Vaidik, who has been facing criticism from various opposition leaders across the nation over his recent meeting with 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed on July 2 in Lahore, Pakistan, said here on Wednesday that his interview to the Pakistani media has been portrayed by the Indian journalists in a wrong way.

During the interview, he had given a statement about Kashmir that it should be made an independent country. The comment raised lot of controversy as to how can he talk about separating the state from the nation, on which he later clarified to ANI that he was talking about freedom to the people of Kashmir, not separation.

Reacting to the ongoing controversy and criticism, Vaidik said that the Shiv Sena has misunderstood his views.

"Some of our immoral journalists have shown my interview to a Pakistan channel, by manipulating it. If Shiv Sena people will see the full interview, then they will appreciate it and will garland me. I have clearly said in my interview that separating Kashmir will be very dangerous. You should see my full interview on YouTube," said Vaidik.

He also favored External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for clarifying in the Lok Sabha yesterday that the government has nothing to do with the meeting.

"Sushma Swaraj has done a very intelligent work. She clearly said that she has nothing to do with it and condemned it. She has closed the mouth of those who were speaking against it," said Vaidik.

Vaidik ended with saying that he is not scared of anyone and is ready to follow all legal procedures, and if required, can even give a speech in the parliament clarifying all the misunderstandings rising out of his interview.

He has openly accepted that he had met Hafiz Saeed and had said that he is ready to share all records of his meetings in Pakistan.