Resolution passed in meeting of the National Office Bearers of the BJP

New Delhi – August 18, 2008

The Country is passing through critical times. The gross indifference and ineptitude of the UPA government at the Centre has given a new disturbing rise to separatist politics in Jammu & Kashmir while terrorists attack with impunity in different parts of the Country, getting encouraged under the firm belief that strong initiative against them under the UPA government is tradable for votes. There has been a consensus in the country for the last so many years that government must take proper steps and make provisions for the convenience of devotees of any religion or, faith. Article 26 of the Constitution, which is a fundamental right gives every religious denomination the right to manage its own affairs in matters of religion. Accordingly, various committees organise with proper support of the government facilities and convenience during major congregation of different faiths.

The famous Amarnath Yatra in Jammu & Kashmir has been going since time immemorial. The journey is very hazardous and in the Nineties many pilgrims were killed in a snow storm. Accordingly, when Mr. Farooq Abdullah was the Chief Minister based upon the recommendation of the Nitish Sengupta Committee Report, the Amarnath Shrine Board was constituted through a legislation passed by the Jammu & Kashmir Vidhan Sabha and was given legal powers to make provisions for convenience of the Amarnath Yatris. The J & K Government by resolution dated 22nd May 2008, duly supported by both the Congress and the PDP (the constituent of the Government) decided to give about 100 acres of lands to the Shrine Board to make temporary structure for few months for the shelter of the yatris in high mountains during the course of the Yatra. In fact, there has been two orders dated 15/04/2005 by the Single Bench and subsequently on 17/05/2005 by the Division Bench of the J & K High Court wherein it was directed that the State government shall permit the user of land for the convenience of Yatri which would remain allotted for the duration of the Yatra. This is the background for the decision to allot the said land in favour of the Shrine Board.

Immediately thereafter, a sinister campaign was started by known separatist elements in the Kashmir Valley that because of this decision a demographic change followed by Hindu colonization will be brought about there. The PDP an admitted ally of the Congress for more than four years in the government, also joined the chorus. This in spite of the fact that the Department of Forest & Law, which has initiated and recommended the entire proposal for provision of land was headed by Ministers belonging to the PDP. Instead of strongly refuting this patent falsehood, the State Government and the UPA Government at the Centre meekly submitted to this motivated demand and cancelled the notification. This important background cannot be lost sight off. Therefore, the BJP feels that the problem in the State of J & K is neither Hindu Versus Muslim nor, Jammu Versus the Kashmir Valley. It is essentially “Nationalist” versus “Separatist”. There is indeed a great sense of anger and hurt across the country in general and in J & K in particular as to the manner in which the UPA government has surrendered before the separatists.

The massive and peaceful peoples’ protest, which is continuing in the Jammu region, is not only unique but unparallel in the history of democratic movement in the country. People from every segment of the society, including those from every community and faith came out on the streets with Indian flag in their hand to protest against this meek surrender before patently anti-India demands. It was extra-ordinary to see not only professionals like teachers, doctors, lawyers, businessman, young and old but even retired senior officers of the Armed Forces joining in this massive protest. All this shows that a lingering sense of injustice and discrimination has also troubled the people of Jammu region over the years. In fact the BJP compliments the people of Jammu for the heroic and peaceful manner they have conducted their whole democratic agitation with full commitment to the sovereignty of India. They demonstrated in the process shinning patriotic fervour.

Thereafter, two motivated disinformation campaigns were started by the separatists and the PDP, a recent ally of the Congress because they knew that they have been cornered. First it was projected that agitation in Jammu has a communal character. When this was exposed because many Muslims had also joined the protest there then the bogie of economic blockade of Kashmir valley was raised. As the State was under Governor's Rule, the Government of India and the State Administration ought to have dispelled this motivated campaign immediately but they again kept on vacillating giving further opportunity to separatist element to continue with their sinister campaign, which was being masterminded by the ISI from across the border. In fact, the central government did not initiate any steps to disprove this motivated and mischievous campaign for nearly a week. The alleged march to Muzaffarabad road was only a part of this design. Increasing evidence is available that truck operators who are known supporters of the PDP and separatist elements refused to transports their goods towards Jammu in spite of security and road being cleared. The BJP condemns the hoisting of the Pakistani flag at places in Kashmir on Independence Day.

The way in which the UPA government at the Centre headed by the Congress has responded to the developments in Jammu & Kashmir is a disturbing reminder of the manner in which the Congress Party has dealt with the Kashmir problem right since Independence. Most of the initiative taken by the Congress over the years in Jammu & Kashmir has ended up only in emboldening the separatist and anti-India sentiments and weakening the resolve of those who believe in the identity of India and Jammu & Kashmir being an integral part of this Country. In fact, Congress has a proven history of mishandling matters pertaining to Kashmir. This time too this was no different. The Congress led UPA Government meekly surrendered before the separatists demands in merely about a week's time and on the contrary did not deem it fit to talk to the leaders of the Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti who were spearheading the agitation in Jammu for 38 days. The BJP feels that the UPA Government has been completely messed up and unnecessarily complicated the entire issue. If the law of the land and the Court Orders on the issue are followed earnestly a solution can be found.

The BJP demands that it is responsibility of government of India to take suitable corrective measures and as a first step the notification cancelling the land allotment in favour of the shrine board must with withdrawn forthwith. The BJP further reiterates its demand for the recall of the present Governor of J & K Shri N. N. Vohra and appeals to the government to firmly and strongly handle the separatist elements, who are being encouraged by anti-India forces from across the border in Pakistan. The BJP condemns the comments and observations of leaders of the ruling coalition of Pakistan about the events in Kashmir and demands from the government that a very firm and strong message be sent to Pakistan that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India and any interference in India’s internal affairs shall not be tolerated. The BJP appeals to nationalists elements in the Kashmir valley to rise to the occasion today and firmly speak against the voice of secession which is only being encouraged by forces from across the border. The BJP further demands time bound purposive and constructive dialogue be held with the Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti and to bring in normalcy as a first step the order cancelling the provision of land in favour of the Shrine Board be withdrawn forthwith. The BJP desires the issue to be settled in a peaceful atmosphere and mourns the death of agitators.

****************************