'Hurt' Vaidik on Saeed uproar: 'Kahan Rahul Gandhi kahan main'

Journalist Ved Pratap Vaidik who created a national uproar after meeting 26/11 mastermind Hafeez Saeed, says he is ‘hurt’ by the many allegations being thrown at him.

Speaking to journalists after his trip caused the premature adjournment of the Rajya Sabha for two days running, Vaidik said that he felt bad about the uproar created by the opposition Congress. “I have worked with Congress, they are my people. But they have made a mockery out of Parliament”, he said.

Vaidik has been unapologetic about his decision to meet Saeed,  saying, “I have been traveling to foreign nations for past 40 years, does the embassy facilitate all those travels? I meet everyone directly. TV channels are distorting my statements. What I’ve done for nation for 40 years is being marred by all these allegations”.

He also lashed out at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi who had called him an ‘RSS man’. “Kahan Rahul Gandhi kahan main. Chota sa aadmi hoon main, kya defamation case file karna?

Earlier as well, Vaidik said that he only wanted to analyse the Pakistani terror group leader’s mind to “perceive his motivation about India”.

Speaking to CNN-IBN he said, “The objective was very simple. I am a journalist and I really wanted to know him. I wanted to know what kind of a man he is and why he committed heinous crimes against India. I wanted to analyse his mind.”

Vaidik added that he has been meeting all sorts of people as a journalist, including those who dislike India.

“In Sri Lanka, I used to meet even the worst India-haters. I listen to everybody’s argument and I try to cut down their argument and persuade them,” Vaidik said.

He also said his meetings are aimed at mobilising peace in South Asia.

“I have a mission. The entire South Asia should be united. I try to promote peace and prosperity in this entire region,” he said.

This lofty ambition of peace was echoed by his aide Baba Ramdev. ““I will talk to Vaidik (ji)…I am very confident that even if he has met him, then he must have tried to change his (Saeed’s) heart. Vaidik is a renowned journalist and when journalist in any context meets a personality, it is for good and to know person’s expectation,” Ramdev told the media.

Meanwhile Vaidik has also categorically denied any link with the Vivekananda International Foundation, to which National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is associated.

“You are totally mistaken. I have never been a part of Vivekananda International Foundation. In fact, I have a grudge against them as they never invited me to deliver a lecture. I am not part of any organisation of the BJP or any other political party,” he said.