New Delhi, March 18
The BJP today reacted sharply to the denial of visa by the USA to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, but was appreciative of the UPA government's prompt intervention and strong statement on the issue.
“We feel that this decision is entirely unwarranted as applying domestic law of the USA to a visit of high political personality of India is unacceptable to us,” senior BJP leader and former External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told newspersons here.
A visibly angry BJP leader said, “The US decision is an insult to our honour and dignity and is a direct attack on the Indian sovereignty,” Mr Sinha said, adding that the party would take up the issue strongly with the US Embassy here.
“Granting visa is the sovereign right of any state but the manner in which it has been done and reasons given (for denial of visa to Mr Modi) are unacceptable”, Mr Sinha said.
“Mr Modi is not accused in any court of law and therefore for the US Embassy to deny visa amounts to holding him guilty without any hearing or trial,” the BJP leader added.
Taking note of the strong protest lodged by the UPA government with the USA, Mr Sinha said, “We are appreciative of the government action as the UPA has not treated this as a partisan political issue.”
Meanwhile, Mr Modi has started queering the emotional pitch as he hit out at the USA for revoking his visa, saying that it amounted to insult to India and reflected Washington’s effort to show this country in “poor light”.
“It is a matter of the country’s prestige and sovereignty. The Government of India should raise its voice (over the development),” the Chief Minister said, adding that it was the responsibility of the Centre not to allow “insult” of any individual by any country through “illegal” decisions.
