RSS, BJP disagree Jaswant's contention on Jinnah

New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) Rashtriya Seva Sangh (RSS) Monday
disapproved of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader
Jaswant Singh's praise of Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali
Jinnah, while his own party appeared to distance itself from
the remarks made in his new book.

Though RSS and BJP leaders have reserved a structured
response to Singh's book, 'Jinnah: India, Partition,
Independence', they have voiced their differences with many
opinions expressed by the senior leader in his book.

When asked if RSS agreed with Singh's view that Jinnah
has been "demonised" in India, RSS leader Ram Madhav said, "I
have only read excerpts of the book. But I am constrained to
say that it is far from the truth to state that Jinnah was not
responsible for partition."

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar refused to make any
direct comment on Singh's book but made it clear that the
party does not agree with the contention that Jinnah was not
responsible for partition.

"Singh's book is being published today. Let it be
published and only then we will respond to it," he said.

He, however, added that BJP stands by its June 2005
resolution on Jinnah, which holds him as one of the most
important politicians responsible for the partition of India.

During a visit to Pakistan in June 2005, senior BJP
leader L K Advani was in the eye of a storm when he described
Jinnah as "secular". Later, Advani had to step down from the
post of party president.

Singh's views on Jinnah in his book are not the only ones
which are likely to stir a hornet's nest but also his remarks
with regards to Muslims in the country.

"We are in disagreement with many of Singh's conclusions,
especially the one with regard to Muslims in India. He says
Muslims here feel like aliens. We believe even a large number
of Muslims in India do not subscribe to this view," Madhav
said.

When asked if RSS agreed with Singh that Jawaharlal Nehru
and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel were responsible for partition,
Madhav said, "We will have to see in what context he is saying
this."

BJP too distanced itself from Singh's opinion on Patel.

"We also don't agree with Singh's views in his book
about Patel," a BJP MP said.

BJP has always eulogised Patel for uniting Indian
provinces under one flag. PTI RC
DDC
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