Embroiled in a controversy after his recent visit to Pakistan, the cricketer-turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu in an interview to The Hindu has said that he went to Pakistan as a ‘goodwill ambassador’ and received a very positive message from people, politicians and friends, who desire peace in the region. He said the Indian government should take the dialogue forward.
How was your visit perceived in public and political circles in Pakistan and how well were you welcomed?
It was amazing the way people welcomed me in Pakistan. I am overwhelmed by the warm love and affection shown by people and politicians. From children to aged people...they came hugged me, saying “Sidhu sahib twada swagat hai” (Mr. Sidhu you are welcome)...We want the same thing (peace) you are pushing for, they said to me. The way I was welcomed, it has reinforced my belief that relations between India and Pakistan may improve in the near future. I have returned from Pakistan with such hopes. Mr. Imran Khan’s emphasis on peace through talks has only affirmed my hope.
Your visit has been surrounded by controversies. How do you react?
See, my visit was not a political one, I went on an invitation from a friend (Imran Khan). The visit was a goodwill gesture. We should capitalise on it. Criticism will fetch nothing...If one doesn’t want to encourage goodwill then why have embassies? Why on Id and Independence day do we exchange sweets among jawans and shake hands? Why the Indian High Commissioner gifted a bat to Mr. Imran Khan? Why late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took a ‘Dosti Bus’ to Pakistan. Why did Prime Minister Narendra Modi go and hug former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Now tell me how was my hug different...These are all ‘gestures.’ How can you criticise anyone for that. The underlining cause has to be understood...my purpose of the visit was pure. I believe that communication should not break as talks are the only solution to resolve issues between the two nations. My philosophy is that all the world is my country, all mankind my brethren, to do good my religion.
Can you elaborate on the conversation between you and Pakistan’s Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa?
Gen. Bajwa approached me saying I am a General who wanted to be a cricketer to which I responded saying I am a cricketer who wanted to be a General. After a little pause, Gen. Bajwa said I have good news for you: “We are contemplating opening a passage from Dera Baba Nanak (India) to Kartarpur Sahib (Pakistan) to facilitate pilgrims to pay obeisance on the occasion of the 550th ‘Parkash Diwas’ of Guru Nanak Dev.” It was an emotional moment for me as I am sure it would be for any ‘Punjabi’ and as a natural reaction I reciprocated with a hug... I am not a robot. If someone comes and gives wings to the aspiration, to the dream of every Punjabi, won’t I have positive emotion for him?
The hug was an emotional, natural human reaction. It was in Kartarpur Sahib, where Guru Nanak Dev had spent the last 18 years of his life. This issue pertaining to the passage has been pending for over decades. The Indian government should take concrete steps now, which would fulfil the dream of the entire Punjabi community. And then Gen. Bajwa’s parting words were, “We want peace” and that was the end of the conversation.
In the backdrop of your visit, the BJP has accused the Congress of trying to run a parallel government. Your comment?
Let people do their political thing. I went there as a friend, I spoke as a friend, I went with a message of peace and love as a goodwill ambassador. Positive anything is better than negative none and I want to be an instrument of good.
I did not encroach upon that dangerous territory of politics and that was the reason I got so much love and regard from the people in Pakistan. I believe, instead of criticism, which has been disappointing and hurtful, we must focus on expanding trade and bonding between both the nations. I did not initiate anything, it has come from their Pakistan’s side...India should seriously pursue the Kartarpur Sahib passage issue. What’s wrong in it?
Do you think, if you were still in the BJP, there would have been no controversy?
Listen, will we do politics just for TRP or to abuse anyone without rationale? We should create a blue ocean where there’s space for everyone to swim. Follow ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence) that Mahatma Gandhi preached. We should follow the path of unifying instead of creating divides.
The critics need to understand what the intention was behind my visiting Pakistan. My intentions were and are crystal clear — I aspire for hope and prosperity in the entire region.
