BJP, Shiv Sena mock Nobel buzz for Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif, liken it to honouring Hitler

New Delhi: BJP and Shiv Sena leaders on Friday ridiculed Pakistani media claims that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif deserves Nobel Peace Prize consideration for purportedly mediating a US-Iran ceasefire, comparing it to awarding Adolf Hitler.

The buzz followed US President Donald Trump's claim of agreeing to a ceasefire "based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan," who reportedly urged him to halt strikes on Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed this, saying Tehran accepted it "in response to the brotherly request of Prime Minister Sharif."

Shiv Sena's Shaina NC dismissed the idea: “I don’t know who Pakistan is a puppet of. They are not even capable of dreaming of a Nobel Prize, let alone receiving one for mediating in global conflicts. The so-called ceasefire and meetings they talk about have not even taken place.”

She urged Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir to tackle terrorism at home first: “They must eliminate the toxicity and terrorism within their own country before claiming any international diplomatic success. The truth about terrorism needs to be brought into the public domain. Only then can they aspire to be taken seriously on the global stage. Given their track record of allegedly sheltering terrorists, their leadership should prioritise internal peace. India has not forgotten Pakistan’s actions, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will respond at the appropriate time. The Nobel Peace Prize is a distant dream for them.”

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo called it "premature and misplaced": “There is nothing amusing about giving a Nobel Prize to countries accused of promoting terrorism. Pakistan claims to have mediated between the US and Iran, but there is no clarity on the terms or outcomes of such mediation. If those accused of promoting terrorism are considered for the Nobel Peace Prize, then by that logic, even Hitler should be given the award.” He questioned the mediation's unclear terms and outcomes, warning it would erode the prize's prestige.

(Inputs from IANS)