NEW DELHI:
BJP and Congress members in Lok Sabha today pitched for the return of Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) to the Valley asking the Government to provide them all facilities, even as BJP members termed Article 370 of the Constitution as an obstacle and sought its removal.
Speaking on a private resolution moved by Nishikant Dubey (BJP) seeking immediate steps for rehabilitation of displaced persons from Kashmir, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Cong) however said the prevailing circumstances in the Valley do not inspire confidence among the KPs due to the recent occurences including separatist activities there.
Initiating the debate, Dubey said “conspiracies” were being hatched for long to force the pandits out of the Valley and blamed the previous Congress-led dispensation at the Centre and National Conference-led regime in the state for their policies which, he said, had led to such a situation.
He alleged that “dreaded terrorists” were released by the erstwhile Farooq Abdullah government and the pandits were discriminated against, leading to their “forced exile”.
“Government must provide all facilities to those who want to return,” Dubey said.
His long-winding speech in which he mostly spoke about the Valley’s history and its political evolution drew jibes from opposition leaders, with Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge nudging him to speak on the present issues concerning the exiled community and not teach them “history”.
B Mahtab (BJD) rose to correct him when he referred to Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as ‘Azad Kashmir’, as it is called in Pakistan. (AGENCIES)
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