Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Feb 15: Maintaining that dissent is essence of democracy, Union Minister of State in PMO with Independent charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh, however, said that when dissent crosses all limits and challenges the integrity and sovereignty of the nation it becomes act of sedition.
The Union Minister was replying to the questions of the reporters on the JNU episode at the sidelines of a function at his Constituency Office at Gandhi Nagar, near here today. Dr Jitendra Singh said dissent is something showing resentment against establishment and it is called the essence of a democracy but when it crosses its limits and comes to challenge the unity and integrity of the nation it does not remain dissent.
He said there should be unanimous opinion among the political parties on the issues concerning national unity and integrity and there should also be no compromise over them. “Difference of opinion should not go to such an extent that it goes against the sovereignty and integrity”, he added.
In response to another question that Congress and other parties are attacking Modi Government for suppressing the students voice and activities, Dr Singh said that on the issue of national unity and integrity nation should have consensus and bottom liens needed to be drawn over such issues beyond which politicking has to be avoided.
He said in advanced democracies of the world like US and UK too there is difference of opinion among the leaders of different parties and there too is dissent against the establishment but when it goes beyond the interests of republic, the well being of the republic becomes a cause of concern for the political parties.
In response to another question about the involvement of Hafiz Saeed in JNU episode, Dr Singh said that after the statement of Union Home Minister over the issue every thing has become clear. He said the concerned Ministry has taken the cognizance of the issue and he need not to say any thing over it.
On the allegations leveled by some political parties that those students who are not involved in JNU episode are being harassed, he said that impression is misplaced and those not guilty will not be harmed and punished. This was also clarified by Home Minister yesterday and the innocent will be given due protection, he added.
On the formation of Government in the State, Dr Singh said BJP is a disciplined party where every issue is dealt with responsibility and whatever will be in the greater interests of nation, State and Sangathan the leadership will do that.
Dr Singh on the occasion presented a lap top to Shifali Luthra a BSC student from Vijaypur who needed the same. He said the girl has requested that she needs no other help but only laptop and she will make wonders in education.
“I have seen students or youth requesting for admissions in colleges or for job but she is the first student who came to me and demanded laptop so that she an become whatever she wants to become”, he added.
Dr Singh said that the girl deserves all encouragement to enable her to exploit her talent to the fullest level and he was highly impressed by the child.
He said earlier also he provided facilities to children at various places in his constituency by providing school books and bags besides bearing premium of their insurance cover.
Dr Singh said that India is proud of its soldiers and the JNU episode tends to demoralize the forces.
Dr Singh also highlighted various programmes taken up in hand by him as MP and said that Sadal in Udhampur will be the first village in the State which will be built as model village on ravages of flood. He said earlier four villages have been adopted by him in his Constituency to be built as Model Villages and now he has submitted a proposal of five more villages to be built as Model Villages in second phase.
Regarding the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said awareness has been created through it in the country about keeping surroundings clean. He said under the same programme construction of 1120 toilets for women have been started in border area by him. Out of them some toilets have been constructed also, he added.
He said the women in border belt had to go in open for bathroom and there was every apprehension of firing from across or the patrolling by troops was also posing a problem to them to go in open and it was a long pending demand of the people of the border belt that latrines be constructed for women folk. “During the campaigning I had promised to construct the toilets for them and I took up the issue on priority basis”, he added.
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