New York:
BJP president Rajnath Singh, who is on a five-day visit to the US, has reiterated his party's stand on 'Hindu nationalism'.
Speaking to NDTV in New York on Saturday, Mr Singh said, "Why can't we say Hindu nationalist, Muslim nationalist or Christian nationalist? Hindu kehne pe kya sharam hai, agar muslim league ban sakti hai to hindu nationalist kyun nahi (If there can be a Muslim League, why can't there be a Hindu nationalist)?"
Mr Singh also said his controversial anti-English remarks have been misunderstood and taken out of context. "I meant that Hindi and other regional languages should be used to teach Indian culture and heritage to students. I have no anti-English or pro-English agenda, no prejudice to any language."
This is a first US visit by a BJP president in 10 years. And Mr Singh has a packed agenda. The BJP's chief key note address on "India, Afghanistan and Regional Security" is scheduled for July 23 in Washington DC. He is also scheduled to meet a few Senators and Congressmen in the Capitol and says "will request the US government to clear Mr Narendra Modi's visa."
The visit is a culmination of US Ambassador to India, Nancy Powell's meeting with him on March 25 and will include BJP's stance on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India. "We are open to a lot of mutual opportunities and will discuss FDI, but not FDI in multi-brand retail where even the UPA admits there still has not been a single investor," he said.
Some have construed the landmark trip to be the groundwork for Mr Rajnath Singh to project himself as the prime ministerial candidate. But Mr Singh says, "My job is only to ensure that the BJP/NDA comes to power in the coming elections. Other than that, I have no other agenda."
Speaking to NDTV in New York on Saturday, Mr Singh said, "Why can't we say Hindu nationalist, Muslim nationalist or Christian nationalist? Hindu kehne pe kya sharam hai, agar muslim league ban sakti hai to hindu nationalist kyun nahi (If there can be a Muslim League, why can't there be a Hindu nationalist)?"
Mr Singh also said his controversial anti-English remarks have been misunderstood and taken out of context. "I meant that Hindi and other regional languages should be used to teach Indian culture and heritage to students. I have no anti-English or pro-English agenda, no prejudice to any language."
This is a first US visit by a BJP president in 10 years. And Mr Singh has a packed agenda. The BJP's chief key note address on "India, Afghanistan and Regional Security" is scheduled for July 23 in Washington DC. He is also scheduled to meet a few Senators and Congressmen in the Capitol and says "will request the US government to clear Mr Narendra Modi's visa."
The visit is a culmination of US Ambassador to India, Nancy Powell's meeting with him on March 25 and will include BJP's stance on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India. "We are open to a lot of mutual opportunities and will discuss FDI, but not FDI in multi-brand retail where even the UPA admits there still has not been a single investor," he said.
Some have construed the landmark trip to be the groundwork for Mr Rajnath Singh to project himself as the prime ministerial candidate. But Mr Singh says, "My job is only to ensure that the BJP/NDA comes to power in the coming elections. Other than that, I have no other agenda."
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
