Assam Governor can go to Nepal, I will not go to Pakistan, says Azam Khan

Lucknow: Reacting to Assam Governor PB Acharya's statement that Indian Muslims are "free to go Pakistan", Uttar Pradesh Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan on Monday said that he will not go to the neighbouring country, but if Acharya wants he can go to Nepal.

Khan's comments came after, Acharya stoked a controversy with his reported "Hindustan is for Hindus" remark and also saying that "Muslims in India are free to go anywhere ...If they want to go to Pakistan, Bangladesh, they are free to go".

As his reported remarks came under fire, Acharaya on Sunday said that what he meant was that all Indian-origin people, including Muslims, persecuted in any foreign lands were welcome in the country.

"We should keep in our mind, only because a person is persecuted because of his religion in any country, if Indian Christian is persecuted in Pakistan, he has to come to India. Where else will he go? Indian Christian, Indian Buddhist, Indian Jain, Indian Hindu.

"If a European Christian is persecuted or an European Hindu...If he is persecuted in Belgium, he cannot come to India...

"Indian Muslims are free to go anywhere. They can stay here if they want to stay here, many have gone to Pakistan. If they want to go to Pakistan, Bangladesh, they are free to. If they are persecuted there, Taslima Nasreen (author) was persecuted there, she came here. If they come we'll give them shelter. India is big-hearted," he said.