Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu slams China over Masood Azhar

‘China vetoing sanctions against Jaish-e-Mohammed chief is disappointing’

Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu being felicitated by BJP leaders G. Kishan Reddy, Indrasena Reddy and Chintala Ramachandra Reddy in Hyderabad on Sunday.

India’s Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu slammed China for vetoing sanctions against Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar.

Speaking at a felicitation function held in the city on Sunday, Mr. Naidu said, “It is truly disappointing that China has once against blocked the proposal of the United Nation’s to list JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

“This underlines the need for expanding the Security Council,” he added. He indicated that the safety of India, which has a population of 121 crore, should be of prime importance.

“The horrific shooting of worshippers in New Zealand once again underscores the need for all countries to come together to eliminate terrorism,” he pointed out.

Nationwide campaign

The Vice-President further said he would undertake a nationwide campaign to promote peace. The campaign would aim at strengthening democracy and fighting corruption, he added. “Creating greater awareness on sustainable development and encouraging social harmony will also be the campaign’s prime goal.” Referring to internal tensions in the country, Mr. Naidu said, “One cannot pay attention to development when there is tension... It is the duty of every citizen to ensure that the social harmony is not disturbed in any way”.

Progress report

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Vice-President asked voters to demand a ‘progress report’ from the candidates who are re-contesting the elections after having been elected one or more times in the past. Each candidate should explain in the manifesto what he/she has achieved in his/her previous term, he said. Voters should go through the manifestos of each candidate before casting their vote. Other divisive factors including caste, religion, community and place of birth should not be considered while voting, Mr. Naidu said.

At the event, Mr. Naidu was felicitated for receiving Honoris Causa from Peace University of Costa Rica. The university conferred honorary doctorate on Mr. Naidu for his contribution to the rule of law, democracy, sustainable development and peace.

Referring to the honorary doctorate, he said it was an acknowledgement of the age-old Indian values of peace and harmony embedded in the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.