There is a need for a "bigger strike" than the surgical strike carried out earlier to teach Pakistan a lesson, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said today expressing anger over the beheading of two Indian soldiers by the neighbouring country's forces.
The minister emphasised that the Indian government wants healthy relations with Pakistan but added that if it continues to remain adamant, then a "Kargil-like war" may have to be repeated.
Addressing a press conference here, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said Pakistan should be given a befitting reply for the despicable act of mutilating the bodies of two Indian soldiers.
"We have already done a surgical strike to teach a lesson to Pakistan. Now there is a need for bigger strike," Athawale said during a press conference here today.
Last year, the Indian forces had said that they had carried out surgical strikes against militant launch pads across the LoC and inflicted significant casualties.
Speaking here, Athawale said Pakistan is trying to incite the youth of Kashmir and pushing them in terror activities due to which it should be taught a bitter lesson.
"If Pakistan to remains adamant then we need to repeat a war like Kargil. However, our government wants to have healthy relationship with our neighbour. Pakistan should act to stop inhuman and terrorist activities. Pakistan should come forward for peace dialogue. But if it wants Pakistan to hurt us then we also know how to give a tit for tat reply," he added.
Replying to a question on lynching incidents in the name of cow protection, Athawale said that some people take law into their hands but they should refrain from it.
"We cannot take lives of humans for the sake of protecting cows. We have laws to protect cows," he said.
On triple talaq issue, Athawale said that giving divorce only by saying three words is injustice to women.
"Muslim women are upset with the practice and even a section of the Muslim community also opposes it. There is need to bring about a change as divorce is a mutual decision and courts are there to deal with such issues," he said.
Athawale also cleared his stand on questions being raised on Dr B R Ambedkar saying that he does not claim that Dr Ambedkar was the only one who created the Constitution, however he contributed majorly in its development.
"Dr Rajendra Prasad was chairman of the constituent assembly and Dr Ambedkar was its member. Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru had expressed faith on Dr Ambedkar's acumen and he was made chairman of the constitution drafting committee. He was then called architect of the constitution," Athawale said.
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