Jammu, Ladakh will suffer if Art 35-A goes
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 2: Sending a word of caution to the ruling BJP led NDA Government at the Centre to desist from politicising action of Indian Air Force (IAF) on the terrorists training camps in Pakistan, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and senior AICC leader, Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that Armed Forces belonged to the whole country and not a political party.
Addressing a crowded press conference at party headquarters here today, Azad expressed happiness over the safe return of the Indian pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan to the country but maintained that the ruling party was trying to politicise the issue. He said the Armed For-ces belong to the whole country and not a political party. “
“The parties come and go but country and the army remain there. It is unfortunate that some leaders of the ruling party were trying to politicise the issue for vested political interests,” Azad said.
Referring to the action of Indian Air Force on the terrorist camps in Pakistan, Azad congratulated the Indian forces and said Congress and all the political parties have fully supported the Union Government over its fight against terror. He said Congress has its very clear stand against terrorism. Any form of terrorism is unacceptable to the Congress Party as it has already suffered a lot, he added.
While expressing grief over Pulwama terror attack in which 44 CRPF personnel were martyred, Azad said the whole country was boiling with anger after Jaish owned responsibility. The Congress suspended all its party functions, important meetings and dinners to mourn the martyrdom of the CRPF men but BJP did not cancel its even single function or political programme.
Azad said peace talks between India and Pakistan cannot be held now in view of the heightened tension between the two neighbours, although nobody is in favour of war as “our government has made it clear that the IAF strike inside Pakistan was not aimed at the country, its civilians or military installations but at terrorist camps.”
“Our stand from day one is that the Congress is against terrorism and want its elimination. We will support whatever steps our security forces will take in this direction,” top AICC leader said.
“Peace talks cannot be held this time but appropriate steps need to be taken to avoid war between India and Pakistan. Nobody is in favour of war. We are not in favour of war which was evident from the briefing of the Foreign minister and Home minister to the opposition parties. Our (IAF) strike was not against Pakistan, its people or military installation, but was aimed at terrorist camps. It is the responsibility of the world to see that the fight is restricted to the elimination of terrorism alone. But in case of war, J&K will be the worst sufferer, “ Azad maintained.
“Jammu and Kashmir is also worst sufferer of terrorism. A generation of our youth in the Valley was finished by terrorism. If the menace is addressed, it will bring happiness to the state and the country,” the former J&K Chief Minister said.
He said terrorism not only caused loss of life in the State but also pushed it backward, both economically and educationally, compared to other parts of the country.
Expressing serious concern over the tension along the borders post-Pulwama terror attack, Azad said Indian action was very clear and decisive against the terrorists. The Indian forces did not harm any Pak civilian but targeting Indian civilians by Pak troops was unfortunate and provocative action on their part.
Azad said during past over four years cease- fire violations have increased along the LoC and number of killings of security forces have also gone high. Tension along borders have given sleepless nights the people during past few years of NDA rule. He referred to four casualties and damage caused to the houses of civilians in Mendhar, Balakote, Mankote and Sagra-Balnoi area of Poonch with Pak shelling and said that people must be shifted to safer places. He said a Congress delegation will visit these areas with in a day or two and meet the affected people there.
Replying to a question regarding ban on Jamat-e-Islami by Govt for the alleged involvement of some of its leaders in alleged anti-national activities, Azad said, he favours ban on all such organizations in the country who create communal hatred and encourage violence. He avoided to comment on the arrest of several separatists leaders and said it was not new thing.
Responding to another question regarding abrogation of Art 35-A and stand of Congress party over it, Azad said, if Art 35-A goes, Jammu and Ladakh regions will be most sufferers. He said majority of the people willing to settle in J&K and set up their Industrial or other units, would prefer to purchase lands/ properties in Jammu and Ladakh while very few would move to Kashmir in view of over all situation prevailing there. The land in Jammu will shrink within few days and its cost will also go high. The youth here are already facing worst kind of unemployment here and the things would become worse for the locals.
Azad said the then Maharaja Hari Singh had realized this fact and enacted state subject law to safeguard the interests of the people of this State. He advised the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain communal harmony and do not make 35-A, an issue, connecting it with religion. He said Kashmir and Jammu regions are inter-dependent. They both have their common business interests. Therefore, communal divide being engineered by some political parties, was dangerous for the State. He said communal harmony is the strength of this State.
When asked whether time was ripe for Assembly elections in J&K, Azad said a team of Election Commission is visiting J&K shortly. It would interact with leaders of various political parties and other stake holders. The CEC would take its final decision after seeking feed back from different quarters.
On this occasion, former Dy Speakers (ex-MLA Bani), Ghulam Haider Malik, Devinder Singh Bindu from Basohli (both former NC leaders), retired Education officer Gulzar Ahmed Shan from Reasi district and former Air Force officer from Doda, Iqbal Dar joined Congress Party. Azad and PCC chief GA Mir welcomed them in the party fold and hoped that they will strengthen the party.
Senior PCC leaders, Peerzada Mohd Sayed, former DyCM Tara Chand, ex-MP Madan Lal Sharma, Mula Ram, Raman Bhalla, R S Chib, G M Saroori, Mohd Sharief Niaz, Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Yogesh Sawhney, Vikar Rasool, Ravinder Sharma, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, Th Balbir Singh-MLC, Shabir Khan, Naresh Gupta, Manmohan Singh, Namrata Sharma, G L Chalotra, Indu Pawar, S S Channi, Shah Mohd, Ch Shahnwaz, Manjit Singh, Vikram Malhotra, Hari Singh Chib, Pranav Shagotra, Udhay Bhanu Chib and others were also present.
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