Dubai: Comments by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have drawn the ire of social media in India, after a clip of his speech on Saturday was widely shared.
Speaking in the state of Punjab, Khan urged ministers to consider the status of minorities. He also commented on the recent controversy related to Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah, where he had said in an interview that he was “afraid” for his children in today’s India.
“What he [Shah] is saying is what Quaid-e-Azam [Pakistan’s founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah] had said [during India’s partition]. When he said that Muslims would not be treated as equal citizens is what is happening in India right now,” he said during the speech.
He went on to add that the ministers had to make Pakistan into a country where minorities got equal rights and were considered equal citizens.
“We have to especially show Narendra Modi’s India how we treat minorities and how they treat minorities,” he added.
The comment received an ovation from the Pakistani ministers but drew flak from neighbouring India.
According to Indian media reports, Naseeruddin Shah also reacted to Khan’s comments, asking him to focus on his own country.
On social media, too, users commented on recent reports of minorities being mistreated in Pakistan.
Tweep @brumbyoz wrote: “As much as I agree with what Imran Khan has said about India it is a bit rich of him to mention India while minorities like Ahmedis still live in fear while blasphemy laws remain a tool of harassment and persecution. He should walk the talk.”
The tweep added that Khan was using a similar approach to what many used across the border.
“Imran Khan, although a fast bowler, has delivered a googly. He has used the most common trick of Indian liberalism against India. ‘Do we want to become like Pakistan?’ has become ‘Do we want to become like India?’ Good one, Imran bhai, but that is still just a pretty trick, nothing more.”
Another Twitter user, @RSVIDYASAGAR3, felt that it was a time for social media users to reflect. He tweeted: “Had we not trolled #NaseeruddinShah so much ... Imran Khan, would not have had any fodder.”
Another tweep, @dharmendra135, wrote: “Don’t abuse @NaseerudinShah, he is a true nationalist, he has every right to criticise. @ImranKhanPTI of Pakistan trying to play cards, Shah clearly tells Khan to stay away from issues that don’t concern him.”
