Attack on Sarabjit shows failure of India's foreign policy:BJP

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Apr 27 2013 | 5:55 PM IST
BJP today attacked the government for not taking concrete steps in Sarabjit Singh's case, saying the attack on the Indian prisoner inside a Pakistani jail reflects the "total failure" of India's foreign policy.
"It is a very sad incident. The Government of India should take stern and effective steps in this case. Sarabjit's incident proves finally that India's diplomatic clout and foreign policy has been totally demolished," BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said.
He said what is more painful is that Sarabjit's family members had expressed their apprehensions to the Home and External Affairs Ministers in this regard, but the government did not take any concrete steps to prevent such attack on the Indian prisoner.
"Sarabjit's condition of a coma indicates to the 'coma- like' condition of India's foreign policy. The foreign policy of India is slowly slipping into a coma," he said.
"Sarabjit's incident cannot be taken as an isolated incident. The way Pakistan (troopers) beheaded an Indian soldier, Chinese incursion in the Ladakh region and the incidents in Sri Lanka and Maldives reflects the total failure of India's diplomatic and foreign policy," he said.
He also said the attack in Lahore jail highlights the inability of Pakistan government and its anti-India sentiment.
In Bangalore, senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu slammed the "weak and meek" response of the government to Sarabjit and other issues, including the Chinese incursion.
"It is a spineless government. Not just this episode.Even when two Indian soldiers were beheaded (by Pakistan), the government did not utter a single word," Naidu told reporters.
"It (attack on Sarabjit Singh) is a most unfortunate episode. The government did not do anything. It speaks of a weak and meek response of government," he said.
49-year-old Sarabjit was rushed to state-run Jinnah Hospital in Lahore where he was in a "deep coma" and had been put on a ventilator. Doctors were unable to perform surgery on him because of extensive internal bleeding caused by a severe head injury.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Apr 27 2013 | 5:55 PM IST

Next Story