Will not apologise for 'Pakistan is not hell' remark: Ramya

Actor-turned-politician Ramya has refused to apologise for her statement on Pakistan, which has triggered a controversy. Not only has she been trolled for her “Pakistan is not hell” statement, a civil complaint of sedition has also been filed against her.

A day after the complaint was filed by a Kodagu-based advocate, Ramya, the former Congress MP from Mandya on Tuesday issued a media statement that she is entitled to her views. “With a complaint of sedition filed against me, I stand by my remarks that Pakistan is not hell and I see no reason to withdraw or apologise for it. It’s ironical that in a country where people get away with crimes such as murder, those that seek peace are targeted,” she said.

Ramya is facing criticism for her response to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s statement during a rally at Rewari in Haryana on August 16. Parrikar had said, “Our soldiers sent back five terrorists yesterday. Going to Pakistan is same as going to hell.” In response, Ramya had told television channels that she had been to Pakistan for the Saarc Young Parliamentarians Conference and she felt that Pakistanis were like “us”, “…Minister Manohar Parrikar said that going to Pakistan is like going to hell.

It is nothing like that. People there are just like us and there is no difference. They treated us very well…”.

In response to critics asking her to go and live in Pakistan, Ramya said: “But I also love my country, I also love Bangladesh, I also love Sri Lanka and other Saarc countries. Given a chance I would like to travel around the world. But I will remain in India because this is where my home is and I have my dogs here  -- ­­and I wont leave my dogs for anything.”

Actor-politician Jaggesh too made a scathing attack against her. “People who have not studied and don't have any experience are praising Pakistan. They should be given a peace prize, maybe a Nobel. They should also be allowed to stand next to Bill Clinton and take photos,” he had said. To this, Ramya had cheekily tweeted, “Ouch, that hurts”.

‘File sedition case against PM’
Reacting to an advocate filing a sedition complaint against Ramya, the Congress said that if hoping for better relations with Pakistan amounts to sedition, then the first case should be filed against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It is an attempt by an “out of work” lawyer to gain some “cheap publicity” before the matter is disposed of by courts, the Congress said, reports DHNS from New Delhi.
“Entire country wants better relations between India and Pakistan … if having such a wish is sedition then the first case must be against the Prime Minister,” Congress’ chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters.
Besides Modi, sedition charges should also be slapped against the BJP veteran L K Advani, who visited Pakistan and praised Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Such cases should also be filed against all former prime ministers, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for advocating peace between India and Pakistan, he said.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the lawyer who had filed the case against Ramya had no links with the BJP.