 Shivraj Patil ready to go for witch hunt and put RSS and BJP behind bars Sudhir Chadda, Special correspondent
Here is the excerpts from a recent interview with Shivraj Patil: Was the Home portfolio unexpected? I didn't know that I would be given this portfolio. I feel I have to do my duty. One of the first moves of your government seems to be repeal of Pota. Are you going to repeal it completely? Terrorism did not decrease after Pota's introduction. The riots in Gujarat happened even with Pota in place. It is not correct to think that terrorism can be curbed with the help of Pota only. I feel terrorism can be checked without Pota also. There are other legal provisions for that. So you think it is appropriate to repeal it fully? It is mentioned in our Common Minimum Programme also. What will be UPA government's strategy on Jammu and Kashmir? Terrorist activities shot up during the elections. I don't know how correct is it to say that terrorism has increased recently. This is to be put in perspective. Terrorism has been on for a long time. Every possible step will be taken to stop that. If dialogue is needed, we will go for it. We will also look at the economic development angle, social dimensions as well as find a political solution. The NDA initiated dialogue with Hurriyat. Will UPA government continue with the process? Dialogue process is always better. When the last government was not talking to Pakistan, we emphasised the need to talk to that country and as well with our people. We are of the view that we should talk to those with whom we have differences. We are in favour of dialogue. If we find something appropriate has been done, we will utilise it. If we find these are not okay or require different treatment, we will do it differently. During the last two rounds of talk with Hurriyat only the Ansari group has been invited. The Geelani group of the Hurriyat and Shabir Shah were not included in that process. Will they be included now? I won't say anything right now. I will be able to comment only after going through the details. Will CBI reopen the cases like Tehelka and other corruption cases? Whatever is legally required to be done, will be done. And the Gujarat riots cases? These cases are being examined in the courts. We will decide on appropriate steps, if required. There are two views on Ayodhya matter. One is to follow the verdict of the courts, the other is consensus among Muslims and Hindus. UPA prioritises the verdict of the courts. That means the consensus option is closed? No, it doesn't mean that. The dialogue will also be taken into consideration. In any case, if something comes out of a dialogue, it will ultimately have to get legal sanction; otherwise the consensus decision will not be binding. If the consensus is reached by two sets of people it will only be binding on those people. No one else will be bound by that agreement (if there is no legal sanction). How will that be possible? So the question really is, ‘how to reach a consensus’? Let those who are doing to talking find the way to a consensus. Our view is that the matter is under the consideration of the courts, let the courts decide. But if the government has to reach a consensus on the issue, which parties will the government be talking to? Who was talking from the government's side earlier? If someone had been involved in any dialogue we will see what has been done so far. I don't feel that the previous government was talking to anybody. Other people were talking. Other people...? Other private individuals were involved in talks. But someone from the government must have been involved? I don't think so. Minister of State Prakash Jaiswal has said that the government is exploring the possibilities of appealing in a suitable court against relief granted to the accused in Ayodhya demolition? He can tell you about that. You don't have anything to say? I even don't know whether he has said anything like that. Criminalisation of politics is a matter of grave concern. What is this government doing about it? Not for the present context only but for the future also it is necessary to do everything possible to minimise criminalisation. But there are several charge-sheeted ministers in this Cabinet. The Opposition has already making a lot of noise about this. The previous cabinet also had charge-sheeted ministers in it. What will be UPA's strategy regarding extradition treaties with other countries, especially with Pakistan? First of we will see what the previous government has done in the last six years in this regard before we decide what steps are to be taken. Where extradition treaty is possible we will go for it and where it is not possible, we will deal with the situation under international laws. And what will be done to have an extradition treaty with Pakistan? For that, Pakistan should also get ready. Extradition treaty does not mean one-sided action.
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