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didn’t let Jadhav’s mom speak to him in Marathi’

Jadhav’s family members were strip searched, harassed in Pak: MEA

NEW DELHI: Bristling with anger, India protested on Tuesday against the indignities Kulbhushan Jadhav ’s wife and mother were subjected to when they were allowed to visit the former Indian Navy officer in Islamabad.The Indian government disclosed that Islamabad broke an understanding between the two sides and allowed a hostile pack of Pakistani journalists to get close to Jadhav ’s mother, Avanti , and wife Chetna and “harass and hector them” by hurling “false and motivated” accusations about Jadhav.Brushing aside Pakistan’s claim of humanitarian considerations in allowing Jadhav’s wife and mother to meet him, a spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs said the two women were treated with complete disregard to religious and cultural sensitivities, being asked to change clothes and take off their bindis and mangalsutras.In fact, Jadhav’s wife had to leave the Pakistani foreign ministry without her footwear which was not returned to her after the meeting.The cultural and religious sensibilities of family members were disregarded. This included removal of mangalsutra, bangles and bindis as well as change in attire that was not warranted by security,” the spokesperson said, adding, Jadhav’s mother was prevented from speaking to him in their mother tongue Marathi despite it being the language she was comfortable in. “She was repeatedly interrupted while doing so and eventually prevented from proceeding further in this regard,” the government said.India’s deputy high commissioner J P Singh , who, as per the clear understanding between the two sides, was to be allowed in the meeting, was initially separated from the family members. “The meeting started without his presence and he could join only after pressing the matter with officials concerned. Even then he was kept behind an additional partition that did not allow him access to the meeting as agreed,” the spokesperson said.A Pakistan foreign office spokesperson had claimed on Monday that it allowed the meeting because the country, being an Islamic nation, believed in compassion.India debunked the claim on Tuesday in its formal statement. “We also regret that contrary to assurances, the overall atmosphere of the meeting was intimidating insofar as family members were concerned. Family members, however, handled the situation with great courage and fortitude,” it said.