Friday, March 18 2005 13:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) today (Mar 18, 2005) reacted sharply to denial of visa by the US to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi saying it was "unwarranted" and had caused "insult" to the entire nation.

The party asked the Central Government to intervene in the matter and make a statement, particularly clarifying whether it was done "in its knowledge".

"Granting visa is the sovereign right of any state but the manner in which it was done and reasons given (for denial of visa to Modi) are unacceptable," senior BJP leader and former External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told reporters in New Delhi.

The US has denied visa to Modi under a law that prohibits "any Government official who was responsible for or directly carried out at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom" from travelling to that country.

Sinha said the Central Government should take up this issue "strongly" with the US Embassy and Government.

"Modi was going to the US on an invitation from Gujarati community. The US Administration has come to the conclusion without checking facts with Gujarat Government. This is unwarranted," Sinha said.

Party vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said denial of visa to the elected head of a State Government was an "insult to the entire nation."

Asserting that India was known world over for its impeccable record in terms of secularism and religious freedom, Naqvi said the development had put a question mark on this.

"This is a serious issue... We do not need any certificate from any country including the US on the religious harmony and freedom in our country which we are proud of," he said.

"The Central Government should clarify whether it was done in its knowledge and if it was, then it is a more serious matter," the BJP leader said.

He apprehended that this development may become a precedent and said his party would oppose it.