Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, May 24: Union Minister of State in PMO with Independent charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh today accused the Congress which ruled the nation for maximum period after independence for prevailing Kashmir crisis.
Addressing a function organized by Kailash Vidhya Dham Trust, Chinore in connection with beginning of three days annual function of the Kailash Vidhya Dham Ashram near, here, he said had the previous Governments followed the Antodya Yojna of Late Deendayal Upadhayaya, the former president of Bharatiya Jan Sangh (BJS) and a great visionary, which means that last man in the queue should reap the fruits of democracy, then there would have been no crisis in Kashmir today.
He said despite taking several concessions from the Government, the secessionists are issuing threats and warning and this all is the result that the concept of Antodya Yojna was not followed by the rules who were in power at Delhi and in the State for maximum period.
Dr Singh said keeping this in mind soon after taking over the reigns of the Government at Delhi, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that his Government will be dedicated to poor people of the country.
Describing the Modi Government’s swearing in as Sun rise during Sun set bringing new hopes for over 1.25 billion people of this nation, Dr Singh asserted that in J&K BJP did not join Government to taste power but to provide equitable justice to the people of all three regions of the State. “This coalition is based on the principle of equality and all the three regions under the coalition will get their due’’, he added.
Dr Singh said BJP is an equal partner in the coalition Government in the State, and there should be no misgiving about the same. “Our Ministers in the State Government enjoy equal authority and equal say in every decision making and therefore no one should get with the impression that BJP is there in coalition only to stay in power’’, he added.
While denying that BJP has compromised on its principles, he said a new history has been created by the Party after joining the Government in the State. But the principles for which Dr Shama Prasad Mookerjee laid down his life on the soil of J&K are dear to Party and there will be no compromise on them”.
Dr Singh said that BJP will not see Kashmir with the prism of Jammu and at the same time it will not allow any one to deprive Jammu of its due rights. Maintaining that BJP is for the welfare of people of Jammu region, he said the people of the region were always on fore front in any nationalist movement.
Pooh-poohing those who are trying to discredit Modi Government by criticizing the Prime Minister for conducting foreign visits, Dr Singh said during first year in office the former Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and Mr Modi made almost equal trips to foreign countries. But there were no tangible results of former PM’s visits and this time the results were far better.
He, while making a dig at Congress for trying to find fault in BJP Government’s functioning, said that the Party does not know where its leader was for 59 days.
Highlighting the one year performance of Modi Government, he said Jan Dhan Yojna, social security schemes and announcement of welfare schemes for farmers were the great achievements of this Government.
Dr Singh said the self addressed certificates introduced by his Ministry was also a great achievement and this way the people were saved from visiting to a gazetted officer for attesting the certificates.
Expressing confidence over the performance of the Union Government he said “we had a lot of burden from previous Government and now it has been lessened a bit’’.
Dr Singh while recalling the role of Kashmiri Pandits in nation building said they have been always on fore-front in fight against the anti nationals.
Taking a dig at separatists for raising questions on the return of the displaced Pandits to Valley, he said they (separatists) are living in the world of ignorance. By remaining outside for 25 years can’t be termed that they (Pandits) are not residents of Kashmir, he added.
He said such statements can prove dangerous and in case displaced Pandits start raising objections over the purchase of land and houses by those who question their return to Valley what will happen?
He said if the qualities of the KPs are being ignored that will be a great mistake and reiterated the Modi Government’s commitment for dignified and honourable return of Pandits to Valley.
He regretted that some vested elements are trying to create a division among the various categories of refugees like Pandit refugees, West Pak and PoK refugees and reiterated that the problems of all refugees need to be settled.
He said where there is common pain so there should be no dispute and every section of society should get its due right including PoK and West Pak refugees which is the basic policy of BJP.
He said the dialogue process on Pandits has been initiated and yesterday some leaders held talks with Government at Delhi.
Addressing the function Minister of State for Education and Culture, Priya Sethi reiterated BJP’s commitment to establish AIIMS at Jammu and construction of Tawi Lake. She said the BJP has not compromised on these issues and we are committed to them.
Mrs Sethi also assured tough action against bovine smuggling and cow slaughter in the State. She said the cow slaughter is already ban in J&K and Government will act strictly against those indulging in this crime.
The Minister also assured all support to Ashram in its missionary programmes meant for the betterment of the society as a whole.
She said that the coalition Government came into being for the development of the State and “we will fulfill the aspirations of the people of Jammu besides providing justice to other two regions of the State also’’, she added.
Addressing the function general secretary of the Trust Prof A K Ogra highlighted the programmes of Kailash Vidya Dham Trust in the services of society. He sought cooperation of all in running the Trust which has taken up various projects for the welfare of people in hand like imparting religious education to youth, establishment of training courses in computer and civil services coaching classes etc.
Swami Divyanand Ji, Mahant said Saints have lot of responsibility on their shoulders towards society. He demanded a total ban on cow slaughter and smuggling of bovine animals in the State and urged the Government to take steps in this regard.
He said that the Mughal road has become a conduit for bovine and drug smuggling. He said the J&K Government should follow the steps taken by Maharasthra and Haryana Governments regarding banning bovine smuggling.
He also demanded fool proof security for KPs on their return and said that the youth who were provided employment in Valley also san facilities.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president PK and one of the members of Managing Committee of the Ashram while stage was conducted by Virender Raina, spokesperson PK.
Later, three day religious programme started in the Ashram with Kalash Pooja in which the religious scholars from Haridwar will take part. The Maha Yagya will start tomorrow and it will culminate on May 26 with Puranahuti.
Earlier, a Shoba yatra was also taken out from the Ashram which was flagged off by VHP patron, Dr Rama Kant Dubey after performance of traditional Pooja-Archana. The yatra proceeded through various areas of Jammu.
Earlier, in the morning, soon after his arrival from Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh drove straight to Dinanagar in Punjab, where he was the chief guest at a function organized by “Sri Raghuvansh Ashram’’. Deputy Speaker of Punjab Assembly Dinesh Singh was also present on the occasion.
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