Rashtriya Ekta Yatra : Statement by Arun Jaitely

The Rashtriya Ekta Yatra being organized by the Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha led by its President, Anurag Thakur, M.P. has already passed through eleven States. The Yatra has been absolutely peaceful and shall remain so. It is now scheduled to enter Jammu & Kashmir on the morning of 25th January, 2011. The BJP strongly condemns the attitude of the Central Government and the State Government of Jammu & Kashmir in creating an environment of panic around the Yatra and using it to prevent the Yatra through undemocratic and repressive methods.

The State Government claims to have sealed all the boarders of the State. Large scale of arrests of BJP workers are being made. Even within the State, movements have been stopped. Trains carrying the BJP Youth workers from all over the country are being cancelled and diverted forcibly and BJP youth reaching Jammu & Kashmir are being diverted forcibly to other parts of the States.

The Rashtriya Ekta Yatra is an expression of nationalist sentiments. It highlights the threats to India’s security and sovereignty. It re-affirms the right to hoist the National Flag in every part of India.

What has been the attitude of the Government ?

1. When those advocating separatism met at a conference in New Delhi two months ago, the Government failed to take any action against them. It was argued that even claiming segregation of a territory of India from the Indian Union is a part of the right of free speech.

2. Today, the Prime Minister, while making a reference to the Yatra, has said that nothing divisive should be done on the Republic Day. The National Flag of India is an assertion of India’s national pride and nationalism. It is a matter of national regret that the Prime Minister should regard the hoisting of National Flag as something which could be considered divisive or provocative.

3. The State Government is bent upon creating a situation which is reminiscent of 1953 when Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee entered the State of Jammu & Kashmir. Since when have Jammu, Kathuwa & Sambha become forbidden territories and entry into those areas is prohibited. The sealing of borders of a State to prevent a peaceful political expression is undemocratic and unacceptable.

4. The massive repression undertaken by both the Central Government and the State Government will be counter productive.

All these panic reactions of the State and the Central Government are creating a situation where the people will ask a question – “Why should carrying the National Flag and hoisting it be forbidden?” The BJP will continue to uphold its right to hoist the National Flag in all parts of the country. By trying to stall it, The Central and the State Governments have psychologically surrendered to the separatist

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