New Delhi [India], May 5 : Himachal Pradesh Congress President Pratibha Virbhadra Singh on Monday criticised BJP MP Anurag Thakur after he questioned Himachal Pradesh government "inaction" against Pakistani citizens, saying that he should not give such statements which could further create chaos in the region.
Speaking with ANI, Pratibha Virbhadra Singh said, "There are a lot of issues, Anurag Thakur should take a stand on the issues like taking action against those terrorists. A lot of questions are being raised on Pakistan...He should not give such statements, which could further create chaos in the region."
She emphasised that tourism is an important aspect of Himachal Pradesh and can "scare" the tourist.
"Himachal Pradesh is very important from a tourism point of view. Now, the tourists are afraid of visiting J&K, so they might visit Himachal for their vacation. Giving such statements can scare them of Himachal Pradesh too. We don't want anyone to spread any confusion," she said.
Anurag Thakur targeted the Congress party and the Himachal Pradesh government over what he termed inaction against Pakistani citizens residing in India, both legally and illegally.
Thakur alleged that non-BJP ruled states have taken negligible action to deport such individuals and urged the Himachal Pradesh government to act swiftly, citing a memorandum submitted earlier in the day.
Speaking to reporters, Thakur said, "Action is being taken to send back Pakistani citizens living in India legally and illegally, but in non-BJP ruled states, this action has been negligible... In Himachal Pradesh too, no such action is being taken. What is the compulsion that Congress has to speak the language of Pakistan?"
"Do they (Congress) see any compulsion in taking action?... Why are Congress and some other opposition parties speaking the language of Pakistan?... The question arises whether the Congress party stands with India today?," he added.
"This is my request to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and the entire government. In the memorandum we have given today, it has been clearly stated that legal and illegal Pakistani citizens should be sent out of Himachal Pradesh and out of the soil of India," Thakur asserted.
Apart from this, BJP also held protests at 17 locations across 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh, accusing the ruling Congress government inaction Pakistani nationals.
Pakistani citizens, except long-term visas and diplomatic and official visas, with immediate effect from April 27. This came in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 26 individuals at the popular tourist destination in Baisaran meadow.