PTI, NEW DELHI: India today tore into Pakistan for presenting the wife and mother of Kulbhushan Jadhav as “widows” during their highly controlled meeting, and accused Islamabad of turning an emotional moment into “an instrument to further its propaganda.” In identical statements in both houses of Parliament, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said there was “serious and gross violation of human rights of the family members of Jadhav”, who is on death row in Pakistan for alleged spying.
She pointed out that Jadhav’s mother Avanti and wife Chetna were forced to remove their mangalsutra, bindi and bangles and footwear, and even made to change their attire on the pretext of security.
“Both married women were presented as widows in front of a son and husband. There can be no greater insult than this,” said Swaraj as other members chorused “shame, shame.” “There are not enough words to condemn the same,” she said.
Jadhav’s mother and wife met him on Monday inside the Pakistan Foreign Office building in Islamabad under unusual circumstances — he was separated from the two women by a glass screen, and they conversed through an intercom. Avanti was not allowed to speak in their native Marathi language. Chetna’s footwear was confiscated. Jadhav’s words apppeared tutored and the atmosphere was intimidating. Swaraj said Pakistani authorities are now talking of chip, camera or a recorder being installed in the shoes. This is “absurdity beyond measure,” she said, pointing out that the two women had cleared security at airports in India, Dubai and Pakistan when nothing suspicious was detected.
“This meeting could have been a step towards moving forward. But,it is a matter of great disappointment, that the meeting took place flouting all the understandings both countries had agreed to,” she said. Following the statement, members cutting across all party lines in both Houses voiced full-throated supported for the government. Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress said the misbehaviour with Jadhav’s wife and mother was “misbehaviour with wives and mothers of 130 crore Indians.” “We will not tolerate insults to the wives and mothers and to the country’s dignity,” Azad said.
