BJP says Pak diverting attention, slams Malik for Babri remark

Speaking in Ahmedabad, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said it was "strange and unfortunate" to see Malik speaking on cross border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and in terms of domestic developments in India "in the same breath" and the comments have come from a representative of a nation "which has a dismal track record in relation to its own religious and ethnic minority and their rights."

"Pakistan talks about peace with a destructive mindset. The core issue is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and all issues like relaxation of visa regime are irrelevant," BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in Delhi, adding that there were a number of "factories of terrorists" flourishing in Pakistan and unless these are demolished the peace process between the two nations cannot move forward.

Jaitley said ordinarily, his party doesn't comment on a visit of a foreign dignitary when the visit is on. "However during a visit something which is very provocative is said, particularly when it goes unrebutted by the Indian Ministers present, a response is required and therefore we are constrained to make it.

"Its regrettable that it went unchallenged, particularly when comments have come from a representative of a nation which has a dismal track record in relation to its own religious and ethnic minority and their rights," he told reporters, adding the comments are "completely unfortunate, uncalled for and should really had been rebutted by the Indian ministers present there". MORE