Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 16: Making a scathing attack on separatist leaders, Union Minister of State in PMO with independent charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that situation has reached to such an extent in Kashmir now that the people living there don’t want freedom from India but from those leaders who misled their wards and forced them in the jaws of death and destruction by joining militancy.
Addressing a function here today in connection with flagging off Rudhra Ganga Yatra from Geeta Bhawan Parade to Desa in Bhaderwah tehsil of Doda district, Dr Singh said the youth in Kashmir are mature enough and they have now seen through the game plan of separatist leaders, who have sent their wards in search of green pastures outside and forced them (innocent youth) to join the terror groups.
“If the so called Jihad is so holy for them then why don’t they ask their own wards to join militancy instead of misleading the innocent youth to take to arms”, he added.
Later talking to reporters on sidelines of the function, he said the people are now wise enough and they can’t be misled any more as separatists are answerable before them that why don’t they ask their own wards to launch the so called Jihad instead of misleading the innocent youth to join their movement. He asked those calling for jihad to first set an example by bringing their own children to lay down lives.
“The best way to educate and motivate the youth of the country and Jammu and Kashmir is to make them understand that if this so-called jihad or fight to freedom is as holy as they are being made to believe, then they should ask the separatists why are their own children residing, doing jobs or studying in safe havens in other States, metros and at times, other countries,” he added.
Replying to questions on the ongoing unrest in the Valley and using children in militancy, Singh said, “India has reiterated more than once that the approach towards terrorism is that of zero tolerance.”
The Union Minister hit out at opposition for blaming the BJP for failing to contain the situation in the Valley and trying to propagate that lives were lost due to the “new BJP model of governance” in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The fight against terrorism should be united irrespective of political ideologies. We should not settle scores in the garb of terrorism,” he said.
Making a scathing attack on Pakistan, Dr Singh charged it of fishing in troubled waters. He said there is no Kashmir issue and if there is any issue that is the illegal occupation of PoK by Pakistan and India is committed by 1994 unanimous resolution of Parliament to liberate that portion of our territory which is the integral part of India.
Lambasting Pakistan for raising rights violation issue in Kashmir, he said entire world is concerned about the human rights violation in Gilgit, Baltistan, Baluchistan and PoK by Pakistani forces.
On the recent attacks on PM package employees by separatists in Valley, Dr Singh said Government and society is bound to provide security to them as Pandits are integral part of Kashmir and no one can deny them their right to return and lead an dignified and honourable life in Valley.
He said all steps will be taken to provide the security to minorities in Valley.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Dr Singh said that religious yatras are not only symbols of faith and trust but signs of unity in the society as a whole.
He said these yatras have also worked in uniting the different communities in one way or the other and become sign of unity in diversity.
Dr Singh said that toilet complexes for Machail Mata Ji Yatra have been constructed as was promised by him last time and the issue of towers will be taken up with the new Union Minister of Telecommunication.
The function was also addressed by MLA Jammu East Rajesh Gupta. He said that it is his good luck that all the yatras to different religious places are flagged off from his constituency.
Swami Rameshwar Dass said that the terrorists and separatists should be crushed with iron hands and there should be no compromise with them while MLC and BJP leader Ajatshatru Singh said that religious yatras are sign of unity.
Chairman of the Rudhra Ganga Trust also spoke on the occasion saying the yatra was started in 1984 from Srinagar in Kashmir valley by the Trust and after the turmoil in 1990 it is being taken out from Jammu.
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