Mumbai, September 15: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday said that Pakistanis are very welcoming and don't want a war with India. Addressing NCP’s minority cell office bearers, Sharad Pawar also spoke against the Modi government's decision to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its special status granted under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. He further said that a narrative is being created against Muslims and Pakistan for political gains. Jammu And Kashmir Under Siege: Security Lockdown, Communication Blackout And UT Status Leave Kashmiris With No Autonomy.

"They don’t want a war with India. However, in India, a narrative is being created against Muslims and Pakistan for political gains and we must fight against it. Those in power are spreading false information for political benefits," Pawar said. "I have visited Pakistan and received hospitality there. Pakistanis believe that even if they can’t go to India to meet their relatives, they treat an Indian as their relatives," he added. NSA Ajit Doval on Article 370 Repeal: Majority of Kashmir Supporting Move, 92.5% of J&K Freed of Restrictions.

Speaking of revocation of provisions of Article 370, the NCP supremo dared the government to revoke Article 371 in north-eastern states. "Why is the government not lifting Article 371? Why are they (Bharatiya Janata Party) doing it in Kashmir where minorities are in a majority. They are showing that they are taking decisions against minorities," he said.

In her address, Pawar also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for not visiting the flood-affected areas of Maharashtra. Speaking on incidents of mob lynching, the NCP chief said that a particular community is being targetted in the name of nationalism. "Some people are trying to express nationalism and say 'I am an Indian', but I feel that is is not necessary for an Indian to say a certain something to prove his citizenry," said Pawar.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 15, 2019 11:26 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).