Pak can’t understand: S Jaishankar defends Akhand Bharat mural in new Parliament
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar defended the mural depicting the idea of ‘Akhand Bharat’ in the new Parliament building.
Reacting to Pakistan’s criticism against it, Jaishankar said, “The mural of undivided India shows the spread of the Ashoka empire, and the idea of a responsible and people-oriented governance. Pakistan cannot understand it because it does not have the power to understand.”
Jaishankar said the neighbouring countries will understand the meaning of the mural. Talking about Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), Jaishankar said, “As far as PoK is concerned, we have made our stand clear. It is not just ours, but the country’s and the Parliament’s stance.”
Earlier in May, Jaishankar referred to Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as the “promoter, justifier and a spokesperson of the terror industry”. Bhutto attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting in Goa.
The new Parliament building, inaugurated by PM Modi on May 28, has a mural that shows the map of ancient India. Important kingdoms and ancient cities have been marked in the mural showing ancient India till Taxila or Takshashila, currently in Pakistan, was part of India. The names of ancient cities are also mentioned in this painting. Countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan protested against the map.
Jaishankar also attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the remarks he made in the US against PM Modi and the ruling BJP. Jaishankar said Gandhi speaks a lot without having a proper understanding of the facts. The EAM also said the Gandhi scion had a habit of criticising India abroad.
CRITICISM AGAINST AKHAND BHARAT MURAL
The mural of the ancient map of India has drawn ire from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Several Nepal leaders reacted strongly to the mural and some of them even asked Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to raise the issue with New Delhi.
Former Prime Minister of Nepal Babura M Bhattarai said, “The Akhand Bharat mural in the new Parliament building is controversial, unnecessary and harmful to the diplomatic strategies between neighboring countries, including Nepal.”
Last week, Pakistan’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Mumta J. Zehra Baloch expressed concern over the mural installed in the new Parliament building.