Is BJP Getting Ready to Form Government in Kashmir?
It is believed that the trouble in Kashmir will increase under BJP’s rule, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party does not have any firm policy to handle the worsening problem in the state.
By Rakesh Raman
During his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the security situation and developmental issues in the state at a high-level meeting in Srinagar on Thursday.
State Governor N. N, Vohra, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, and senior officers of MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) and State Government were present.
The meeting holds significance as reports are coming that BJP is trying to form the government in the state with the help of disgruntled MLAs of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with which BJP ended its alliance abruptly a few days ago.
Currently, J&K is under President’s rule as BJP had decided to withdraw from its alliance with PDP headed by Mehbooba Mufti.
While explaining the reasons for the withdrawal, Ram Madhav, National General Secretary of BJP, said that terrorism, violence and radicalization have risen and fundamental rights of the citizens are under danger in the Kashmir valley.
Meanwhile, the government-controlled National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India has dismissed a petition that urged the Commission to constitute an independent team which should visit Kashmir and compile an updated report on human rights situation in the troubled state.
It is believed that the trouble in Kashmir will increase under BJP’s rule, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party does not have any firm policy to handle the worsening problem in the state.
Recently, a veteran Congress leader Saifuddin Soz suggested that Kashmiris will “prefer to be independent” if they are given a choice to express their free will.
Soz endorsed former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s assessment over a decade ago that Kashmiris will prefer freedom instead of living as citizens of India. He also criticized Indian government for diluting Kashmir’s autonomy that was enshrined in Article 370 of the Constitution of India.
Meanwhile, the UN has demanded an unconditional access to Kashmir to record the extent of human rights violations in the troubled state. Similarly, irked by extreme human rights violations in Kashmir, a British Parliamentary Group has decided to release a report on this issue.
Chris Leslie MP, Chairperson All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Kashmir, chaired the meeting a few days ago to discuss the state of unrest in Kashmir.
Kashmir has always been a conflict area between India and Pakistan since 1947 when both these countries got freedom from the British rule. In order to stake their claims over Kashmir, India and Pakistan have fought two bloody wars in 1965 and 1971, besides incessant skirmishes between the rival armies.
Pakistan is leaving no stone unturned to internationalize the burning Kashmir issue as local Kashmiris are facing the wrath of Indian security forces.
Rajnath Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to take all possible measures that would bring accountability, transparency, and good governance in the system.
He said development and governance had remained elusive for the common people of J&K. The solution to problems lies in empowerment of the people and strengthening the institutions of local self-governance.
The Union Home Minister said the dream of a developed and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir would be realized when there is peace and normalcy in the state.
It is the government’s firm resolve to bring peace, stability and prosperity through an honest, effective and efficient administration for the problems facing the state, he added.
By Rakesh Raman, who is a national award-winning journalist and social activist. He is the founder of a humanitarian organization RMN Foundation which is working in diverse areas to help the disadvantaged and distressed people in the society.
Photo courtesy: Press Information Bureau
