New Delhi, July 21: Two radicals -- Pakistan's hardline Jamiat-Ulema Islam chief Fazal-ur Rahman and VHP president Vishnu Hari Dalmiya today met here and discussed perhaps the unlikeliest of the issues -- ways and means to achieve durable peace in the sub-continent. Both of them, who were closetted inside a conference room of a five star hotel in downtown Connaught Place, came out with smiles on their faces.

While the Pakistani Jui delegation was led by Rahman, Dalmiya was accompanied by his senior vice president Acharya Giriraj Kishore at the meeting.

The two sides were aided by Rajya Sabha MP Lalit Suri, pundit N K Sharma and Lahore-based journalist of Pakistani daily "The News" Imtiaz Alam.

Emerging from the 50-minute meeting, the two sides posed before the photographers with Rahman holding the hand of the Acharya and Dalmiya.
"We are very happy and we have discussed only ways to find peace in the region," Rahman said and termed the meeting as very encouraging.

However, Rahman said that the details of the meeting were not to be shared with the press, a view shared by Dalmiya.

Asked for his reaction about the meeting, Dalmiya said, "Our is the same mission as that of our Pakistani friends of having a peaceful atmosphere...."

"We welcomed our Pakistani brothers to uphold the tradition of our country to give all respects to the guest," he added.

Bureau Report