Autonomy proposal to J&K – Centre playing with Fire

BJP urges Centre to ignore suggestions

Mohit Kandhari | Jammu – Daily Pioneer

The BJP has issued a stern warning to the Centre not to play with fire by ignoring sentiments of the people of Jammu and Ladakh regions. It also staged a dharna outside Raj Bhawan in Jammu, urging the Prime Minister to dump the lopsided report and ‘not to take’ any action on its recommendations.

Significantly, Justice Ahmad had proposed that the demand for ‘autonomy’ projected by the National Conference be examined in the light of the Kashmir accord while rejecting the PDP’s slogan of self-rule. An upbeat NC is now eagerly awaiting the Centre’s response on the recommendations of the working group.

Meanwhile, the Congress clarified that recommendations forwarded by Justice Ahmad were not binding on the Centre. It added that the Congress was open to discussion on any formula — whether it was self-rule, autonomy or any other proposal within the ambit of the Constitution.

Earlier in the day, sitting on a dharna, State BJP Chief Ashok Khajuria said the Centre should dump the report as it had failed to address issues projected by public representatives of both Jammu and Ladakh regions.

Khajuria said, “These recommendations were prepared by a loyal employee of the National Conference-led coalition Government in the State and should not be treated as recommendations of the working group.”

Leader of the BJP legislature party Prof Chaman Lal Gupta said the BJP had been demanding delimitation in the State for very long since Jammu has more population, more area and difficult terrain as compared to Kashmir but Kashmir has more Assembly seats, which is total discrimination and injustice with Jammu. He said timely delimitation is also a part of healthy democracy and by endorsing the deed of NC to freeze it till 2026, Justice Ahmed has attempted to murder democracy in order to please Congress and NC.

Gupta attacked Article 370 and added that this status is the main obstacle in the State’s full integration with the rest of the country. He added, “Today, questions are raised over accession of the State. Accession is complete and the BJP will not allow any one to reopen the issue of accession.”

The question of reopening accession or diluting the integration bonds with the rest of the country would amount to turning the clock back and bowing before fundamentalists and decisive forces, who have no faith in secularism. Things which have been settled permanently should not be reopened. The Government should stress on issues of public importance and work towards solving long pending demands of all refugees and migrants who are waiting for justice as their human rights have been violated.

National Executive member Dr Nirmal Singh said the BJP will not accept the formula of quiet diplomacy. There should be transparency in talks with separatists.

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