Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha meets President Arif Alvi in Lahore

Congress leader and former union minister Shatrughan Sinha called on President Arif Alvi at Governor’s House in Lahore on Saturday.

During the meeting, President Alvi expressed his concern at the human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir and highlighted the rising incidents of violence against minorities, especially Muslims, in India. He also shed light on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s efforts for peace in the region.

Shatrughan arrived in Pakistan a few days ago to attend the wedding ceremony of his friend’s son in Lahore. Talking to the media about his visit to Pakistan, Shatrughan said, “I feel good whenever I come to Pakistan and I would always remember the hospitality and love of Pakistanis.”

Actress Reema Khan, who was also in attendance at the wedding ceremony, shared pictures with Shatrughan. She took to her Instagram page to share the photographs with the caption: “Attended wedding in Lahore..#shatrughansinha #lahore #weddingbells #qawalinight.”

Shatrughan has been a member of the Lok Sabha (lower house) from 2009 to 2014 and 2014 to 2019 and also the Rajya Sabha (upper house). He served as union health and family welfare minister from January 2003 to May 2004 and shipping minister in August 2004.

Talking to an Indian news channel earlier this month, Shatrughan had launched a virulent attack on the Modi government for its actions in Indian occupied Kashmir and its divisive citizenship law.

He asked: “How long will the minority keep silent? You did Kashmir, but it didn’t bring peace, though you are claiming peace. Kashmiri leaders have been arrested and internet has been shut down in the valley. What is all this drama?” Referring to now more than 200 days of a complete lockdown in Kashmir, Sinha said: “China sealed just a few districts despite the coronavirus outbreak, but India politically sealed entire Kashmir, including Srinagar. This move is being criticised in the world.”

“You bring selected European Union (EU) people here and treat them like your sons-in-law. You bring in only those people who flatter you. Even these people were taken to only selected places; they were not allowed to visit entire Kashmir, including Srinagar,” he said. “The news about the situation in Kashmir spread despite all efforts to keep it a secret. The world comes to know that no tourist is coming into Kashmir. And if a few tourists are coming in, they are not being allowed to leave Kashmir. Senior political leaders like Yashwant Sinha were not allowed to enter Kashmir. Later, he was allowed to enter Kashmir, but he was not allowed to leave his hotel,” the actor-turned-politician said.

Shatrughan said: “The EU has more than 750 members and 651 of them have rejected the Indian citizenship law and actions in Kashmir. They have censured Indian actions and said they will not tolerate such acts. American billionaire George Soros said at the Davos Economic Forum that democracy in India is in danger. India is involved in accesses. India is doing wrong. People are being divided on the basis of religion. India is being looked at with suspicion. People are not happy.”

Sinha said, “On the Global Hunger Index, India’s position is 91. Even Pakistan and Bangladesh are in a much better position than India on this index. This is a matter of shame and pain for India. India’s position on the Democracy Index is 51 despite the fact that we claim to be the world’s oldest and largest democracy. In the last election, around 350 of the 547 seats were won by tampering with the electronic voting machines. The Supreme Court has issued the Election Commission a notice in this regard and the result will be probably this month. One man show and two man army is running the country. Everything is being done with the power of money.”

The Congress leader said, “People kept silence on demonetisation, revocation of special status of Kashmir and Ram Temple issue. And then they brought the citizenship law. This law has made the poor in India insecure. They are being scared. Students of institutions like JNU and Aligarh University are being beaten up. This is too much; it will not be tolerated anymore.”