BJP pays tribute to Tika Lal Taploo, other martyrs
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Sept 13: Lashing out at the so called champions of Kashmiriyat, BJP co incharge J&K, Ashish Sood today said that no one has the right of talking about Kashmiriyat till Kashmiri Pandits are rehabilitated in Valley.
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“What is the fun of talking about Kashmiriyat when Hindus are not allowed to live there with honour and dignity?” Sood asked while addressing a programme at Jammu Club here in connection with the observance of Balidan Diwas on the martyrdom day of former vice president of J&K BJP, Tika Lal Taploo.
He said all slogans of Kashmiriyat given by its so-called champions will prove hollow till the Pandits who were the aborigines of Valley return there on their own terms and conditions. “Kashmir is their motherland and they belong to Kashmir so no one can determine conditions for their return. They are free to decide when to return and live there and this decision should be left to them alone”, he added.
Without naming National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he said the two dynastic parties have no right to talk about Kashmiriyat as they are responsible for present Kashmir situation.
Turning tables on them, he said when BJP decided to abrogate the controversial Article 370 from Indian Constitution the leader of one of the dynastic parties said that no one will be left to take tricolor in his hands in Kashmir and he accused the two parties of trying to disintegrate this nation.
Sood said the two parties can’t dictate when the Kashmiri Pandits will return to their motherland Kashmir. He said those who suffered can only realize the pain and agony of turmoil and these parties are trying even to uproot those families whose youth are even working outside J&K to feed themselves and their families.
BJP leader said killing of even a one person is a big tragedy and in Kashmir thousands of people were killed by militants over the years. The tragedy of Kashmiri Pandits is seen in three ways one those who suffered and became victims of this tragedy, second is those who have not even seen Kashmir but took to streets all over country supporting the cause of Kashmiri Pandits and the nation. But there is another class of people within Kashmir who say nothing happened to Pandits and they are not responsible for the mass exodus. This section of people is always in denial mood and they have been advocating for dialogue with Pakistan, he added.
Sood said BJP’s slogan that “Jis Kashmir Ko Khoon Sey Sincha Woh Kashmir Hamara Hain” is not mere a slogan but a saga of BJP’s sacrifices.
He said the roots of 1989 mass exodus of Pandits lie in 1986 communal riots of South Kashmir against whom the martyrs like Tika Lal Taploo and Pt Prem Nath Bhat raised their voice forcefully. Taploo had said that they can’t leave Kashmir as it is their motherland, he added.
During the programme beside Taploo, homage was paid to all martyrs who were killed over the last 33 years of turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir including police personnel and jawans and officers of security forces.
A documentary of Taploo was also shown on the occasion.
Ravinder Raina, president JK BJP while paying tribute said Taploo was a prominent leader among Kashmiri Pandits who throughout his life worked for strengthening of nationalist forces and defeat to divisive and anti national forces. He was a popular leader among other communities too as he was always ready for help.
Ashok Koul, general secretary (Org) BJP termed Taploo a great leader and a social activist who never compromised on his principles. Taploo was a popular leader among Kashmiri Pandits as well as Muslims and he was a fearless leader who challenged militants after the killing of NC leader Mohammed Yousf Halwai, he added.
Others who paid tribute to Taploo included former MLC and spokesperson BJP G L Raina and BJP KDD president, Chand Ji Bhat.
On the occasion, families of Rahul Bhat and Rohit Chib both martyrs were honoured by the BJP. Others who were present included Shuban Pandit, H K Razdan, Anil Dhar, H L Bhat, Sweety Koul, Vinal Raina , Rakesh Sadhoo, M L Bhat, Chaman Lal Pandit, Rajeev Pandita, Vennet Raina, Dolly Raina Meenakshi Wali, Rahul Koul etc.