New Delhi, June 6
BJP President L.K. Advani today showed no remorse for his comments on Pakistan and its founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah. He remained firm on his views as he welcomed a debate on the issue with anyone, including the Sangh Parivar.

Soon after his arrival after a week-long visit to Pakistan, Mr Advani told mediapersons at the airport: “I have come to know that my remarks have triggered a debate. I have no objection to it, the matter should be debated”.

Showing no signs of strain, Mr Advani remained unmindful of the controversy and took no note of the anti-Advani poster put up by the Hindu Jagran Manch which read “Jinnah samarthak (supporter), Pakistan premi (sympathiser) Advani, vapas jao (go back Advani).”

The BJP President’s remarks came in the backdrop of the attack by the RSS and VHP for his remarks describing the Pakistan founder as a “great man” who espoused the cause of a secular Pakistan.

The BJP leader said Mr Jinnah in his speech to the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947 had favoured a secular and non-theocratic state and the Pakistan founder was of the view that there should not be any difference between the Hindus and Muslims as all were its citizens.

Mr Advani said after laying a wreath at the mausoleum of Jinnah in Karachi, he made a reference to the Pakistani Qaid-e-Azam’s address in the course of his comments.

“I did not issue any text. It was just a mention about which I have come to know that there has been some debate here and there. I have no objection to it. It is good. There should be a debate,” Mr Advani asserted.

During his visit on the invitation of Pakistan, he had regretted the demolition of the Babri mosque and virtually gave up the Sangh Parivar stand on “Akhand Bharat.”

Commenting about his three-leg tour to Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, Mr Advani said apart from the sentimental values to the country of his birth, the objective of his tour was to promote the peace initiatives by the NDA government for Indo-Pak peace and his efforts had been “furthered substantially.”

Describing his visit to Islamabad as “essentially political”, Mr Advani said he met Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri, Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Senate.

Everyone was of the view that the peace process initiated by the NDA government should be carried forward, he said. He added that despite differences between the ruling and opposition parties, efforts should be made to ensure the welfare of the people of India and Pakistan and bury the tensions of the past.

He said as the leader of the BJP, a prominent constituent of NDA, it was his duty to see that the peace process was carried forward. “The aim of the journey was essentially political. We discussed things very freely,” he said.

Mr Advani said Pakistani leaders appreciated that the peace process which was started by the NDA government was being carried forward by the UPA government.

“You have come here as the BJP President. Whatever you have said we are convinced. The process will go ahead,” Mr Advani quoted the Pakistani leaders as telling him.

He observed that at the end of his tour he was “happy” that he could interact with all communities and with all political parties in the spectrum.

Mr Advani asserted that since the Indo-Pak problem was decades old, it required “patience”.

Quoting General Musharraf, he said, “The General himself said that the leaders on both sides know the objectives clearly. But how to reach the objectives is not clear as yet. It takes time...”

Describing his trip as a “memorable and unforgettable week” of his life, Mr Advani said during his journey to Karachi he visited an ancient temple which has reference in the Mahabharat.

He spoke to External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh and urged him to take the initiative in the restoration of the temple with the help of the ASI.

He termed his visit to Lahore as “political-cum-cultural and religious”.