Shatrughan Sinha Rises To Navjot Singh Sidhu’s Defence

“I Miss My Sister In Pakistan On Raksha Bandhan… What Is So Wrong About Sidhu’s Goodwill Gesture In Pakistan,”

Cricketer-entertainer-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu has landed himself in a boiling soup for acting over-friendly with warring politicians across the border. While there is an upsurge of outrage and protest all across the country over the alleged betrayal of national interests, BJP’s most outspoken rebel-soldier Shatrughan Sinha stands up to defend the much-vilified Sidhu.

“What is this controversy that’s being thrust upon Sidhu? Is he the first Indian politician to go to Pakistan on a goodwill gesture? Haven’t the topmost politicians gone and had tea with our neighbours? When Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji (God bless his soul) took that historic bus to Lahore I was with him. He embraced Nawaz Sharif, and he was right to do that. Unless politicians from both sides reach out and shake hands there can never be any peace between the two countries. I like what my colleague Ravi Shankar Prasad says about a dialogue between the two countries being an ongoing process. You can’t talk peace unless you sit together.”

Shatruji feels Sidhu is beng victimized for his political allegiance. “I hear the families and kin of our brave jawans are hurt by Sidhu’s goodwill. I think some members of my party (BJP) are still hurt over the fact that Sidhu left the BJP to join the Congress. By raking up an unnecessary and irrelevant controversy they are are trying to teach him a lesson.”

Shatruji reiterates that peace maneuvers on both sides of the border are a must. “I have repeatedly defended the right to fight for peace with Pakistan. What is so wrong about Sidhu’s goodwill gesture? I have been to Pakistan many times. In fact, I have a foster-sister in Pakistan. Former President Zia-ul-Haq’s daughter Zian is a my mooh-boli bahen. Because of the deescalating relations between the two countries, I haven’t been able to meet her for a few years now. This Raksha Bandhan I miss her.”