Terming India as the "most tolerant country in the world", Assam Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya today said all Indian-origin people, including Muslims, persecuted in any foreign lands were welcome in the country.
"Any Indian-origin people persecuted in Bangladesh and in any foreign land have the legitimate right to come to India and it is our duty to receive them... People of all religions, including Muslims, have the right to come to India," Acharya said at a press conference.
When specifically asked if Muslims persecuted in Bangladesh are also welcome, he said "Why not? Taslima (Nasrin) has come to India...Originally Bangladesh was part of India and the people were Indian. But during partition, Indian Muslims went to Pakistan.
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"India has a big heart. India is the most tolerant country in the world," Acharya said.
He, however, said that Hindus originating in other countries had no right to come to India.
"American Hindus or British Hindus or Hindus in other nations...They can go to their own countries. I am talking about those people who were originally from India," he added.
Asked about any plan to settle the refugees across different states in the country by not giving the entire load to one particular state, Acharya said it was the duty of the government, both state and Centre, to formulate a mechanism for settlement.
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Heavy rainfall played a spoilsport immediately after Badnore took oath as Governor of Punjab.
As he was being given guard of honour heavy rainfall drenched the newly appointed Governor along with the Chief Justice and other prominent dignitaries present on the occasion.
Badnore, who took oath in English, was sporting the traditional Rajasthan head gear.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included Union Ministers Maneka Gandhi and Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
Others present included BJP MPs Rajeev Partap Singh Rudy and Vinod Khanna, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD MPs Naresh Gujral, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh, Badal's ministerial colleagues, Haryana minister Abhimanyu.
Besides family members of Badnore his friends and top administrative and police brass of Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory Chandigarh were present on the occasion.
Sudden sharp showers drenched the entire area and the dignitaries.
