We don't hate people of Pakistan but hate terror, says Rajnath Singh

Bengaluru: Taking a jibe at Pakistan, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said it could seek the help of India if it could not root out terrorism on its own.

Addressing a public rally in Bengaluru, he said Pakistan was getting isolated from the world for abetting terrorism.

"If Pakistan government wants to get rid of terrorism and if Pakistan government on its own cannot root out terrorism, then it can seek help of India. India is ready to root out terrorism from Pakistan," he said.

He said constant efforts were made to improve relations with Pakistan, pointing out that Narendra Modi had invited in May 2014 all the heads of governments of neighbouring countries for his swearing in as Prime Minister to send a message that India wants to have better relations with them.

But Pakistan did not understand this and tried to take advantage in "violation", he said, apparently referring to the Uri terror attack.

"We do not hate people of Pakistan but hate terrorism in Pakistan."

Mr Singh said terrorists from Pakistan crossed the borders and killed 19 soldiers but what the Indian jawans did in retaliation was sending a strong message to the world that the country was not weak but strong.

He also said the greatest example of India being a secular country was it declared itself a secular state rather than a theocratic state unlike Pakistan that called itself an Islamic state.

At the rally, former Dalit IAS officer K Shivaram, who has acted in some Kannada films, joined the BJP.