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Pawar assails PM's stand on Dangs incidents

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sharad Pawar yesterday ridiculed the stand of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee regarding the recent atrocities on Christians in Gujarat and said his policy of silence was motivated by the desire to remain in power.

After addressing a massive rally in Sangamner in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, held to felicitate freedom fighter Bhausaheb Thorat, Pawar said the statement made by Vajpayee in Ahwa in the Dangs that a nation-wide debate is needed on the issue of conversions was uncalled for and would create more tension.

He said that as far as he knew there have been no forced conversions in the region so far. Even if such incidents occur, the law should deal with them. Holding discussions on the matter will lead to further confusion, he said.

Pawar said the atrocities on minorities and tribals in different parts of the country and the stand of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray regarding the Pakistani cricket team's visit have resulted in India slipping towards Hindu fundamentalism.

UNI

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