Article by Darshana Jamindar
A freelance journalist,Ved Pratap Vadik, close to Yoga guru Baba Ramdev meeting mastermind Hafiz Saeed behind 26/11 episode in India has sparked a controversy. During Pakistan on July 2, Ved Pratap met the Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief in Lahore , along with a group of journalists and politicians invited by a peace research institute.
Congress raised this issue with photo of Ved Pratap close to ruling BJP and meet Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan.Digvijaya Singh, Senior Congress leader sharply reacting on tweeted, “Ved Pratap Vedik meets Hafiz Sayeed. Any reaction on Social Media? Did he go as an Envoy of NDA Govt or as a personal Envoy of PM?”
Hafiz Saeed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, is accussed of plotting a series of strikes in India including the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed. He on the top of India’s most wanted list. Even, US has declared reward of 10 million dollars on him. However, Saeed enjoys a free run in Pakistan and often addresses public rallies in which he routinely makes instigating statements.
BJP condemned Vaidik’s meeting with Saeed and distanced itself from the journalist. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said “Why he met him and what was his intention, he should tell this himself”.
Journalist Vaidik, feels he met Saeed as “a journalist must meet all kinds of people, for a journalist, no one is untouchable. I wanted to prove him wrong and influence his thinking.” He had a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
