‘Pak Army big obstacle between Indo-Pak relations’
Elections have become ‘tool’ of dividing society in India
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 12: Former J&K Chief Minister and Democratic Azad Party (DAP) chairman, Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that he as a Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir had sent a report to the then Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil about the links of some political leaders of the State with the militants but the Central leadership took no action in this regard.
Making sensational disclosures during an interview with Times Now TV channel here today, Azad who had left Congress Party recently, said when he was the Chief Minister in the coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir, he received reports about the links of some mainstream political leaders with the militant outfits.
“Since I do not believe in hearsay, I tried to gather all the concrete proofs and then sent a detailed report to the then Prime Minister and the then Home Minister of India. But unfortunately there was no action,” Azad remarked.
When asked whether it was due to the soft policy of the then Congress Government at the Centre towards militants, Azad said he would not say that it was due to soft stance of the then Government but there were some mainstream leaders acting as ‘double cross’. They had links with the terror outfits and at the same time were befooling New Delhi by projecting themselves as great nationalists and mainstream leaders. “I don’t know when such people will meet their fate,” Azad regretted.
On being asked whether such people are still in the business in Jammu and Kashmir, Azad said, ” I will not like to comment on individuals whether they are now in the business or not. We had great hope from this regime but nothing happened even now. Every political party wants to expand its mass base. There may be compulsions of some of them,” Azad remarked.
While responding to another question, Azad said India’s relations with Pakistan can’t improve till Army in Pakistan ‘rules the roost’. “The Prime Minister or President in Pakistan have to follow the dictates of Pakistani Army, this is an open truth. Infact, Pakistani Army is big obstacle in improving relations between Pakistan and India,” Azad added.
“Right from Nehru to Vajpayee and even Narendra Modi, took the lead and tried to improve relations with Pakistan. But the result is in front of all of you. The Army of that country do not want peace in the region due to its own vested interests and public in Pakistan also knows it well. I had been to Siachen Glacier where our troops are living in massive snow and adverse weather conditions. It is virtual hell for anybody where temperature dips below 40 degrees. Their jawans are also facing this all. Good relations with the neighbours, whether it is Pakistan or China, are good for us as well as those countries,” Azad maintained.
Supporting the remarks of Union Home Minister Amit Shah that India will talk with own youth, own people and not Pakistan over Kashmir issue, Azad said, ” Why should we talk to outsiders. They would exploit the situation and speak what ever is in their favour or suits them. We should not play in the hands of outsiders. This is the issue of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and it should be resolved by talking to own youth and our people. The efforts must be on first to bring our people in the mainstream,” Azad opined.
Referring to the role of some political parties to play communal card during elections, Azad said,” Unfortunately elections have become tool for such political parties to divide society in the country. This is most unfortunate. The countries like USA elected a ‘Blackman’ as its President twice and Britain, a man from Indian origin as its PM, but unfortunately we are still connected with the politics of Hindu-Muslim, Christian-Sikh, Gujjar- Pahari, Kashmiri non-Kashmiri and so on. Those countries are far above these things and give priority to their developmental issues. We have still so many issues. Even today our people are deprived of basic amenities. Such politics is dangerous for the Indian democracy,” he added.
When asked whether he sees any change after abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, Azad said, ” Where is the change? Have you observed it anywhere ? There is no change at all, rather situation has worsened after abrogation of Art 370 in J&K. There is no control on increasing unemployment, price hike, big governance deficit exists and what not. People are dejected and youth are frustrated. No major development works are observed. All the claims have fallen flat and the condition has further deteriorated here,” Azad remarked.
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