Advani attends launch of Jaswant Singh's book on Jinnah

Reflecting a change in the BJP's attitude, top party leader LK Advani was on August 26 present at a function where Jaswant Singh released the paper-back edition of his controversial book on Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

The occasion was the 75th anniversary celebrations of the publication group Rupa in New Delhi where the paperback edition of Advani's autobiography My Country, My Life was also released.

Two days after his controversial book Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence was launched in the capital, Singh was expelled from the BJP for his views on the Pakistan founder.

No senior BJP leaders had at that time attended the function. Advani was in Chandigarh while leaders who were in Delhi were conspicuous by their absence while George Fernandez was prominent among those present.

Advani too had to step down as BJP chief in the wake of his remarks praising Jinnah during a tour of Pakistan.

After his expulsion and party-ruled Gujarat banning his book which praised Jinnah, Jaswant had termed the BJP as a "narrow-minded" party with "limited thought".

Full report here DNA

Not a mere book launch

 It seemed the embellished life of Jaswant Singh – an army officer, a minister, a parliamentarian and an ex-leader of the BJP – stood consummated at the launch of his book, Jinnah – India, Partition, Independence.

Before a distinguished gathering at an apt location, Mohatta Palace in Karachi, Jaswant’s effort at objectively dealing with the controversial topic of partition and Jinnah as the Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity was met with great appreciation.

However, the respect and recognition Jaswant Singh has received for being so courageously honest to his pen did not come without its share of anger and rejection from many of his own compatriots of the BJP, and hard-line nationalists from across his country. When commenting on his expulsion from the BJP, he defiantly held his head high and said: “There is no price big enough for peace between Indian and Pakistan” – and the packed audience broke into full applause.

Full report here Express Tribune

Jaswant Singh launches book in Islamabad

The function organised by Oxford University Press (OUP) at a local hotel in Islamabad on Wednesday, April 14, to launch former Indian foreign minister and Bhartia Janta Party leader Jaswant Singh’s book – Jinnah – India, Partition, Independence – turned out to be a gathering of galaxy of politicians, intellectuals, historians, journalists, diplomats, foreigners, human rights activists and Foreign Office officials, who put questions to the author, lauded his efforts for bringing the two neighbours closer, and believed that role of Pakistan’s founder needed to be reassessed.

Poor sound system, especially frequent interruptions in the proceedings due to faulty microphone, coupled with lack of seating arrangements marred the function. Also, the banner put up on the stage fell on ground many a time.

Full report here Daily Times