‘Foreign conspiracy behind communal tension, targeted killings’
* Won’t allow another displacement of any community in J&K now
* Future and picture of UT changing at very fast speed
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 17: After Election Commission of India (ECI) setting the deadline of August 31 for publication of draft rolls, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today dropped first direct indication of holding Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir after completion of formalities.
“The delimitation exercise has been completed following which the number of seats has gone up to 90 with Kashmir having 47 seats and Jammu 43. There is a possibility of holding Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir after exercise for the polls is over,” he said while addressing a function here to celebrate the 200th year of the coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh.
The indication of Assembly polls by the Defence Minister comes just two days after the Election Commission initiated the revision of electoral rolls in the Union Territory and preparation of the draft rolls by August 31. Click here to watch video
Rajnath said there is a “foreign conspiracy” behind the recent communal tension and target killings by militants in Jammu and Kashmir. He asserted that the Central Government will not allow another forced migration of any community from any part of the Union Territory.
He said Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) along with Gilgit-Baltistan are illegally under the occupation of Pakistan which surprisingly is making a claim on the land despite knowing the fact that it was part of the empire of Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of Dogra rule.
“There are some forces in Jammu and Kashmir who have always tried to harm the social fabric and encouraged radicalisation. Recently, the attempts to fan communal hatred increased…The communal tension in Bhaderwah town (Doda district) is against our culture,” the Minister said.
Singh, who reached Jammu on the second-leg of his two-day tour of Jammu and Kashmir, said no country can progress if its population is divided in communities.
“In Jammu and Kashmir, our neighbouring country is playing an important role in sowing the seeds of hatred. From 1947-48 tribal raids, till the recent targeted killings (by militants in Kashmir), there is a foreign conspiracy behind this,” he said.
Without naming Pakistan, the Defence Minister said the neighbouring country is not happy with India marching ahead despite various challenges.
“We have to thwart this conspiracy and the people of Jammu and Kashmir need to build their future with their own hands,” he said.
“Our Government has taken the pledge of resolving the Jammu and Kashmir problem when it first came to power in 2014 when I was the Home Minister. The work is going on at a fast speed under the new Home Minister (Amit Shah),” he added.
Stating that the twin Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have a major role in “new India”, he said the BJP-led Government took a number of steps for the welfare of the displaced people, whether they are West Pakistani refugees, PoJK residents or Chhamb migrants.
“There was no honest move to resettle 5,674 refugee families of West Pakistan but our Government provided them Rs 5.5 lakh per family for their one-time settlement and similarly.”
“The package was extended to PoJK displaced persons and Chhamb refugees who were also provided Rs 5.5 lakh per family. A package of Rs 2,000 crore was given to Kashmiri migrant Pandits to create transit accommodations and jobs for them besides increasing their monthly relief,” he said.
Singh said Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed the pain of displaced people and “we will not allow another displacement of any community, whether Hindus or Muslims or Christians, from any part of the UT. I assure you that we will not allow forced migration of anyone”.
Referring to PoJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, he said “Pakistan has no locus standi on these areas. Had it been so, its Constitution never mentioned it while as our Constitution says that PoJK and Gilgit-Baltistan are part of India and both the Houses of our Parliament have passed a unanimous resolution in this regard.”
Rajnath said the ‘future and picture’ of Jammu and Kashmir is changing at a very fast speed and the time is not far when it will become an example not only for the country but for the whole Asia.
He said the people of J&K had suffered a lot of pain over the past 70 years as ‘vote bank politics and vested interest’ became a hurdle in revocation of Article 370 and strengthened the ideology of separatism.
“At last, the historic day came when both Houses of Parliament passed the resolution (on August 5, 2019) to end the Article 370 (grating special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and with it, the Constitutional distance was bridged and a lot of changes which should have taken place much before started happening here,” the Defence Minister said
Singh, who reached here on the second leg of his two-day tour of Jammu and Kashmir – his first after the abrogation of the Article 370 – said J&K suffered a lot over the past 70 years by living in isolation.
“The ‘New J&K’ will emerge and become an example not only for the country but for the whole Asia and I am sure about it,” he said, stating that an investment of Rs 17,000 crore was made in J&K over the past 70 years but after abrogation of Article 370, investment proposals worth over Rs 38,000 crore had already been received which shows that the ‘future and picture’ of J&K is changing at a very fast pace.
“Article 370 kept J&K separate from rest of the country and the people have already foreseen the problems as a result of which agitation was launched by Praja Parishad which gave the slogan against two constitution, two Prime Ministers and two flags,” he said, adding they were joined by Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee who gave up his life and thus revoking Article 370 became a national issue.
However, he said vote bank politics and other vested interests continued the Article 370 in the Constitution but when 2019 came “we made it clear in the party manifesto that we will end this to remove the burden on the people of J&K.”
“When the manifesto was being prepared, I visited Prime Minister Modi because I was the chairman of the (manifesto) committee and told him that we have to finish this Article which he agreed to,” he said, referring to the benefits various sections of the society like Pakistani refugees, Balmiki Samaj and others got by its revocation.
He said over 170 Central Laws and Acts like the Anti-Corruption Act came into force in J&K with the abrogation of the Article 370 and Panchayati Raj was strengthened despite attempts to “foil the efforts of our Prime Minister who believe in strengthening of the gross-roots democracy”.
Lauding Dogra rulers including Maharaja Gulab Singh, he said J&K has always remained a ‘multi cultural society’ and “I appeal to the people to maintain the social fabric by rising above their religion, caste and creed and not allow anyone to harm it”.
“India is the only country which spreads the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) and we have to live by it,” he said.
Dogra rulers make it sure that J&K remains a part of India and after accession of J&K with India, he said, adding had there been no step motherly treatment with J&K, the separatist forces have never become strong.
Paying rich tribute to Maharaja Gulab Singh and other Dogra rulers who extended the boundaries of Jammu and Kashmir, he said they have a dream after making Jammu and Kashmir part of India and therefore “every section of the society had to come forward and take a pledge to fulfil their dream which will be a great tribute to them.”
Meanwhile, Rajnath Singh today asserted that the AGNIPATH scheme is a golden opportunity for the Indian youth to join the Armed Forces and serve their motherland.
In a statement, Singh, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir, said that many youths did not get the opportunity to join the Armed Forces, as recruitment process could not take place for last two years. Keeping in mind the future of the youth, Singh stated that the Government, on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has increased the age limit for the recruitment of Agniveers from 21 years to 23 years for the recruitment cycle of 2022.
“The relaxation of age indicates that the Government cares for our youth. Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence and the Services are committed to commence the recruitment process at the earliest. We invite the youth to join the Armed Forces and serve the Nation through AGNIPATH,” the Minister said.
Later, Rajnath attended the 9th Executive Council and 4th General Body meeting of Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports (JIM&WS) at Pahalgam. In the presence of Rajnath and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the meeting deliberated on the ways to ensure smooth functioning of the institute and early resolution of pending issues.
Rajnath, in his address, lauded the rigorous training standards, excellent management, devotion and technical proficiency of the trainers and instructors that have established JIM&WS as one of the leading institutes in the country. He described mountaineering and allied activities as a sign of not just physical endurance, but also of mental toughness and enthusiasm.
He appreciated the increasing number of women participants in these activities, which once witnessed male dominance. He also acknowledged the differently-abled Divyangjans who are completing mountaineering expeditions with skill and enthusiasm. He made special mention of Indian mountaineer Arunima Sinha who became the first woman amputee to scale Mount Everest with her firm determination. It is, therefore, very important that all training programmes in this institute are oversubscribed, he said.
Saying that the Government’s focus on increased public-private partnership in various fields has provided a new thrust to the country’s development, the Defence Minister suggested JIM&WS to join hands with the private sector in order to further their training programmes. “There are many technologies, expertise and innovations in the private sector which are not available with the public sector. Collaboration with the private sector will help JIM&WS to connect the people, especially the youth, with activities such as mountaineering and ensure local prosperity,” he said.
Rajnath exhorted the Institute to further acquaint people, especially the youth, with mountaineering and winter sports through its various training programmes and infuse patriotism, courage & energy in them. He said, this will not only increase the popularity of these activities, but also generate employment opportunities, thereby giving a boost to local economy. This will also increase the participation of the local community and provide an opportunity to connect with their culture, he added. The Defence Minister stressed that local people should not just be a Sherpa, but partners in the national-cultural unity.
Rajnath reiterated the Government’s resolve of development of border areas to bolster national security and said that institutions like JIM&WS can help in carrying forward that vision and contribute to the progress of the country. Emphasising on the importance of environment protection, he called upon the institutions like JIM&WS to promote eco-sensitive tourism and contribute in saving nature. He concluded his address with the hope that JIM&WS will become one of the leading institutes of the world in the coming times.
On the occasion, Rajnath also inaugurated Col KS Mall Boulder Climbing Wall and Himalayan Museum at the Institute. The aim of JIM&WS is to expose the youth to nature and develop their personality, character and confidence through adventure sports.
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