NEW DELHI, 2 June 2008 — Pakistani human rights activist Ansar Burney was dissatisfied by an Indian government clarification and an official apology over his deportation to Dubai a day earlier.
Speaking to reporters by telephone from London yesterday, Burney said: “Why apologize to me at all if I was not carrying some required documents? In that case, I should apologize to India. Either they were wrong or I was wrong. It cannot be both ways. This is half-apology and it has caused me more pain.”
The Indian Home Ministry issued a clarification stating that on Friday evening Burney “was denied entry, and not deported, by the immigration official on duty on account of inadequate documentation.”
“The inconvenience to Mr. Burney is unfortunate and regrettable and he is always welcome to visit India,” the statement said.
Asserting that his papers were in order, Burney said: “I had a passport stamped with a multiple entry visa for India, and it was with that I traveled to India six weeks ago. I had ceased to be a minister then. No one stopped me at that time.
“In fact, when I spoke to the Indian high commissioner in Pakistan, Satyabrata Pal, and told him that I have the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) visa, which is issued to prominent citizens, he told me there is no problem and that I can go anywhere.”
Burney told the Times of India that the government clarification was in “bad taste” as the Indian government should have come out with the truth. “I was deported and even made to sign papers regarding this. This is not fair. At least the government should have come out with the truth now,” Burney said.
The incident has come as an embarrassment for India as the Pakistani activist has been instrumental in helping New Delhi secure the release of Indian nationals from Pakistani jails. Burney, an advisory member of the United Nations Peace Council, played a key role in the release of Indian death row prisoner Kashmir Singh who had languished in Pakistani prisons for 35 years.
He is also working for the release of alleged Indian spy Sarabjit Singh, sentenced to death in connection with 1990 bomb blasts in Lahore and Faisalabad that claimed 14 lives.
The Pakistan High Commission has taken up the matter with the Indian External Affairs Ministry seeking explanation on reasons for Burney’s deportation on Friday night from New Delhi to Dubai.
Burney was scheduled to participate in a global anti-terrorism conference here. The conference, organized by the Jama Masjid United Forum, was opened yesterday by the Dalai Lama.
Criticizing the tendency to label Muslims as terrorists, the Dalai Lama said: “Some mischievous people and their deeds have brought a bad name to a religion. Because of these incidents, an impression has been created that Muslims are militants. It is wrong.”
In his address, forum president Syed Yahya Bukhari said it was vital to consistently, unequivocally and strongly condemn terrorism in all forms and manifestations, committed by whoever and for whatever purposes. “We condemn all forms of terrorism.”
Science Minister Kapil Sibal said terrorism should not be used as a political weapon. “Making it an electoral issue will encourage terrorists,” he said.
