On Wednesday, Smriti Irani said that the people would teach a lesson to traitors who did not see Pakistan fault in terror attacks, in a veiled attack on former cricketer and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu. “Those who call Pakistan Prime Minister their friend and don’t see any fault of Pakistan in terrorist attacks are Jaichand (a name synonymous to traitor) of modern India. People will teach a lesson to such traitors", Irani told the media persons.
When asked if there should be cricket matches between India and Pakistan she said, “I am not associated with the sports ministry but as an Indian I want to say that in this hour of pain and sorrow when the wives of CRPF jawans who lost their lives in Pulwama terror attack are crying, nobody cares about sports...I would like to draw your attention towards Indian Army press conference on Tuesday in which the army representative said that the Jaish-e-Mohammad leadership has been eliminated from the Valley within 100 hours”, said Irani. She also added that the army had asked such people who want to spread terror in the Valley to surrender immediately or be prepared to face the consequences.
Commenting on the statement of Imran Khan the PM of Pakistan in which he demanded proof for his country's involvement, she said, "Pakistan didn’t pay tribute to CRPF jawans. It shows Pakistan is rubbing salt on our wounds. After Mumbai terror attack, India provided proof to Pakistan but it did not take any action against the accused.”
Taking a jibe at Congress she said, "I contested election (from Amethi) against a family which remained in power for 55 years in the country but failed to carry out development there.”