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| BJP MLAs snub Ram Madhav, high command | | Politics of deceit, double-speak | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 8: Convinced that the betrayed and badly let down people of Jammu region have turned against the BJP, some party MLAs on Tuesday virtually snubbed the architect of the Agenda of Alliance Ram Madhav, BJP national general secretary and former RSS spokesperson; the party high command consisting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah; and those BJP leaders from Jammu, including Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, state BJP president Jugal Kishore Sharma (MP), MoS in PMO Jitendra Singh and state BJP general secretary (organization) Ashok Koul, who all worked in tandem to harm the national interests and the interests of the patriotic sections of society in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. They opposed those in the BJP who agreed to the dangerous suggestion that the prevailing situation in the state warranted withdrawal or revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) under which the army and paramilitary forces involved in anti-insurgency operations enjoy some legal immunity. Significantly, on April 5, Ram Madhav had unsuccessfully defended the Agenda of Alliance and asserted that it would be a normal thing if certain disturbed areas were de-notified for the purpose of lifting the AFSPA.
These BJP MLAs created a scene in the assembly by raising anti-Pakistan slogans, condemning the massacre of three policemen in Kashmir and bitterly opposing those supporting withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from certain areas considered "peaceful". They knew it that the Agenda of Alliance did provide for revocation of the AFSPA, but still they tore into those supporting revocation or withdrawal of the AFSPA from certain areas of the state. Opposing the Agenda of Alliance which talks about the need to withdraw the AFSPA, while some BJP MLAs resorted to massive anti-Pakistan sloganeering, their other party colleagues supported them. So much so Ravinder Raina, Rajeev Jasrotia and Gagan Baghat stormed into the Well raising such slogans as "Pakistan haihai; security forces zindabad". Gagan Bhagat also carried a placard which read: "Big No to AFSPA removal".
That the Agenda of Alliance provides for the revocation of the AFSPA could be seen from what it said in this regard. It has said: "The situation in the State has improved vastly and to build greater public confidence in its sustainability, people of the State must be able to get the peace and normalcy dividend. In this context, the coalition government will thoroughly review the security situation in the state with a view to examine the need and desirability of all the special laws being applied to the state in view of the situation which is improving. While both parties have historically held a different view on the AFSPA and the need for it in the State at present, as part of the agenda for governance of this alliance, the coalition government will examine the need for de-notifying 'disturbed areas'. This, as a consequence, would enable the Union Government to take a final view on the continuation of AFSPA in these areas".
What the BJP MLAs did in the assembly gave an opportunity to the NC and the Congress MLAs to ridicule them and their party and accuse them of indulging in double-speak on the issue. Congress legislator from Leh, Nuwang Rigzin Jora, for example, said that the BJP legislators were "playing a big drama" in the House. "They are saying AFSPA can't be revoked, their Chief Minister is on record that this act will go. Why this dual policy? And I want to know what has happened to the claims of 56-inch chest". Obviously, he referred to Prime Minister Modi without naming him. NC MLA Nazir Gurezi also took the opportunity to corner the BJP. Ridiculing the BJP, he said: The BJP members are saying AFSPA should not go, CMP (Agenda of Alliance) says it will go, Chief Minister says he will revoke the act. What is the reality?" A number of other Kashmiri MLAs also lambasted the BJP for what they called its "double-speak".
In any case, what the BJP MLAs did in the assembly can be construed as a censure of Ram Madhav and those in the BJP who were party to the Agenda of Alliance and those approved it without realizing its dangerous ramifications for the national unity and security.
Meanwhile, General Officer Commanding of Army's 15 Corps, Lt Gen Subrata Saha told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar that the central and state governments were "considering" the issue of AFSPA and they will "share their opinion on the subject".
"The entire issue (AFSPA) is being considered by Central and State Government. Let them continue with their job. We will also continue with our job," he said, adding that "We will also share our inputs and opinion on the subject". It is not difficult to understand what the Army Commander told reporters in Srinagar. |
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