Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, May 1: Asserting that Pakistan has no locus standi in opposing the creation of township for rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley, Union Minister in PMO with independent charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that Narendra Modi led –Government would not let any body dictate its agenda.
Talking to reporters at the sidelights of a function organized by Cultural Academy in connection with 25th death anniversary of martyr Sarwanand Kaul Premi here this morning, Dr Jitendra Singh said Government is committed to safe, honorable and dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to Valley and it would not be cowed down either by Pakistan or separatists’ dictates in this regard.
“No, I think India is capable enough to decide on its own terms the agenda and it will not tolerate any body’s dictates in this regard. As far as India’s concern on how to act on these issues —whether it is the issue of terrorism or issue of displaced people returning to their homes is concerned, I would not think the Government would let any body dictate its agenda’’, Dr Singh said.
In response to a question whether Government of India would lodge a protest against Pakistan over its interference in internal affairs of India, Dr Singh said “there is a mechanism in place for the same. We have Ministry of External Affairs and Home and they take the appropriate action every time’’.
On the issue of whether the Government will still go ahead with the twin city concept for rehabilitation of KPs in Valley following opposition from Pak and separatists , Dr Singh said I will not like to engage in this discussion because the Home Ministry is taking cognizance of all these options and it will decide appropriately.’’
On issue of UN resolution and change of demography , the Union Minister said as far as we in India are concerned we go more by the resolution of 1994, which was passed in Parliament unanimously by all the political parties.
He said “if there is any issue to be resolved as far as J&K is concerned that is the issue of how to retrieve back the part of erstwhile J&K , which continues to remain under illegal occupation of Pakistan’’.
Taking a dig at separatists and other political parties questioning the return of Pandits and dictating terms where the community should live and how to live, Dr Singh said that Pandits have a Constitutional right to return and no one can debar them of this right. “If they start laying down conditions of return and rehabilitation of Pandits tomorrow the other people can also object purchase of houses and land by separatists in Jammu and other parts of country’’ . What will be its consequences the statesmen of the country and politicians have to take the cognizance of the same, he added.
Terming displaced Kashmiri Pandits have become rallying point of nationalism, Dr Singh, said the time has come when the community besides organizing symbolic programmes of paying tributes to its members who attained martyrdom during turmoil should be assertive in claming their rights. The community should have clarity, courage and conviction in its objectives, he added.
Maintaining that Pandits can themselves decide on return as it is their birth right and there should be no controversy over it he said, “no one can debar the community from return on the pretext that it has been out (in exile) for 25 years.
Those opposing the return of Pandits can’t sustain long, he added.
He said instead of opposing the return of Pandits these elements should have on their own persuaded Pandits to return and confining the role of Government to become a facilitator only. But unfortunately this has not happened, he added.
“The time has come when the community has to assert and fight for its rights not with violence but with strong arguments’’, he said. “You have to raise issue that who was responsible for killing of the community people and demand institution of an inquiry in this regard and the beginning should be made from here while referring to martyrdom of Premi and his son’’.
He said terrorists and separatists can’t teach us brotherhood and “you can’t shake hands with a clutched fist as both sides have to cooperate to maintain brotherhood”.
Maintaining that there is no harm in rehabilitation of misguided youth if they join the mainstream, Dr Singh, however, cautioned that the youth involved in land row agitation of 2008 in Jammu against whom the cases are pending also deserve justice and they too should be absolved of these cases.
On the AIIMS controversy, Dr Singh reiterated that Jammu is the fittest case as Valley has a premier institute in the shape of SKIMS, Soura which was established in 1975. Logically one city can’t have two medical institutions, he added.
Dr Singh said that BJP is not for power but the party is to seek empowerment through power. On the occasion, Dr Singh paid glowing tributes to both Premi a freedom fighter, a renowned poet and writer and his son Virender Kaul who were kidnapped by militants in 1990 and whose dead bodies were recovered two days back after their assassination.
Addressing the function, Sat Sharma (CA) MLA Jammu West also paid rich tributes to the martyrs Premi and his son and recalled the role of Kashmiri Pandits. He also supported Dr Singh’s contention that a thorough probe be instituted over the killings of Pandits.
He said Premi, a follower of Gandhian philosophy, was a great scholar and patriot who treated Hindus and Muslims alike. Mr Sharma said that Pandits will themselves decide on their return and no one can dictate terms to them.
Swami Kumar Ji read some verses from Bhagwat Geeta on the occasion while Dr Arvinder Singh Amn, Additional Secretary JKAACL was also on the dais.
Pran Nath Pandita (retd SSP) and a well known art critic read a detailed paper on Premi and his works. Another paper was read on Premi by Prem Nath Shad a well known poet.
Hasrat Gadda a well known art critic from the State also spoke on the occasion and paid tributes to Premi who he said has done a great service to Kashmiri language and literature.
Rajinder Premi elder son of Premi read the welcome address while Ravi Bhan a well known singer and his team recited bhajans of Premi on the occasion.
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