![BJP national vice president, Avinash Rai Khanna and Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh during Accession Day rally at Jammu on Thursday. -Excelsior/Rakesh BJP national vice president, Avinash Rai Khanna and Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh during Accession Day rally at Jammu on Thursday. -Excelsior/Rakesh](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/page1-228.jpg)
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Oct 26: Terming the so-called separatists struggle in Kashmir valley “a mercenary movement,” Union Minister in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that the people who wore robe of separatism became millionaires overnight by misleading and deceiving the poor youth of Kashmir for their vested interests.
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Dr Jitendra Singh was addressing a mammoth public rally organized by State Unit of BJP in connection with Accession Day at Parade here today to pay tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh, the last Dogra ruler of the State for taking a historic decision by signing the instrument of accession with Government of India.
Dr Jitendra Singh took Congress and National Conference (NC) leaders to task, who are repeatedly accusing BJP that it didn’t struggle for declaration of State holiday on Maharaja’s birthday, and said that when the statue of Maharaja was unveiled near Tawi bridge the then Mayor of Jammu and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta had invited the leaders of both the parties to attend the function but they boycotted it. Even the BJP leader and MLC Ajatshatru Singh who was in NC at that time did not attend the ceremony fearing that the party leadership will be annoyed.”
Strongly criticizing the NC leadership, the Union Minister asked: “did Omar Abdullah and Dr Farooq Abdullah, who head the NC, ever talked about holiday on Maharaja’s birthday then why the BJP activists get perturbed by the statement of a leader of NC in this regard.
Recalling the sacrifices of BJP for the total integration of State with Union of India, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the founding president of Jana Sangh, Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, who resigned as Union Minister laid down his life for the total integration of State with India and he asked BJP activists and people to pose questions to NC and Congress leaders that why they boycotted the statue unveiling ceremony of Maharaja.
He said terrorists are losing ground in Kashmir fast and youth are taking a front against them now as they have understood that they were misled by the terrorist leaders over the years for their personnel interests. “Even the daughters of Kashmir have now revolted against them (terrorists),” he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh also made it clear that Dineshwar Sharma was not appointed as an ‘interlocutor’ but a “Special Representative” to carry forward the sustained dialogue process started by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
He also ruled out that the appointment of Sharma as Centre’s representative did not mean an end to the security operations as stated by Omar Abdullah. The dialogue and anti terrorist operations are two separate issues. “Holding of dialogue does not mean that anti terror operations will stop”, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that there is no issue as Kashmir issue and J&K is as integral part of India as other 29 States are. “The people who say J&K is an issue are those who have been rejected by voters. The only issue is to get that portion of J&K back which is under illegal occupation of Pakistan including Gilgit and Baltistan which were the part of Maharaja’s territory”, he added.
Without naming NC leaders, he said there are some politicians who have three stands on Kashmir issue. “One stand they have in Valley another in Jammu and after reaching Delhi they say Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. He asserted that in 2017 India, such politicking will not work and we must be clear in our thought perception.
Addressing the gathering Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh said that terrorism is at last legs in Kashmir and people are totally fed up of them. He said the Pak elements are at the verge of defeat as they have been defeated now.
Terming Accession Day as a historic day for the people of State, he said “it is our good luck that we became the part of the largest democracy of the country”. He said it is the beauty of Indian democracy that Dr Manmohan Singh who belonged to a minority community became the Prime Minister of this great nation and even the presidents were from minority community.
Dr Nirmal Singh, while warning Congress and NC asked them not to mislead the people of the State and instead enter into a debate with BJP . He accused the two parties of making Jammuites as slaves of Kashmiri leadership for last seven decades.
He said Maharaja had compulsions of not acceding India on August 14 as entire supply line to State was via Pakistan. He alleged that both Sheikh and Nehru conspired against Maharaja and forced him to leave the State.
Accusing NC and Congress of hoodwinking people, he said their leaders are making one statement in Kashmir and another in Jammu. “Let these two parties clear stand and support holiday on Maharaja’s birthday, we will declare it within five minutes”, he added.
Dr Nirmal Singh said that terrorist funds were coming during the Congress and NC rule also but they did not act at that time. “Today they accuse us that Centre has taken U turn but our stand is clear as we have been always saying that no talks will be held under the shadow of gun”, he added.
He said today situation is different in Valley as 170 terrorists were killed during last some time while over half a dozen commanders of terrorist outfits were also eliminated and no one is ready to lead them now.
Maintaining that the NIA operations will continue, Dr Nirmal Singh said separatists have been exposed. He asserted that those who take guns have to face action and those who want talks are welcome.
Addressing the rally, BJP national vice president and Prabari J&K, Avinash Rai Khanna, who was also the chief guest on the occasion, accused the Congress of misleading the nation for 70 years. He said the women of India deserved tribute that they boycotted Chinese goods on Raksha Bandan and China faced a loss of Rs 5000 crore. He termed the launching of NIA operations a courageous decision of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
“The results of NIA operations are before the people as many separatist leaders were unmasked for receiving terror funds”. He, while referring to attacks on BJP workers in Kerala, said Party is committed that it will not allow massacre of democracy in any State of the country.
Health and Medical Education Minister, Bali Bhagat also highlighted the development projects of the BJP Government and accused the opposition of misleading the people as they are in frustration after losing power.
Sat Sharma congratulated the activists for the historic day and said that although the previous generations are aware of the facts of the historic merger of the State with the dominion of India but at the same time they have the greater responsibility of passing on this legacy to the future generations so that they are also made aware of the supreme sacrifices made by their earlier generations for the brighter future ahead. He called upon all to celebrate this day as the Deepawali in their vicinity so as to send a loud and clear message to all. He also charged Congress with the betrayal to common man, when it supported holiday for Sheikh but not for Maharaja.
Jugal Kishore Sharma charged Congress with the tag of corrupt and selfish party, which used to tie the hands of Indian Army, whenever there was a need, but now the Army is at liberty to bounce back with full force. He said that Centre Government has given liberal funding for the development of the State and is very keen to address all pending issues.
Shamsher Singh Manhas reiterated the commitment of BJP to fight for whole of J&K, which was once under the reign of Maharaja and charged Congress for looting and exploiting the nation for continuously 70 years. He said that Congress leaders have no moral ground for asking questions.
Minster of PHE , Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Choudhary and Minister of State for Education and Culture Priya Sethi, MLA Rajesh Gupta, MLC Ajatshatru Singh and BJP general secretary, Dr Narinder Singh also spoke on the occasion.
State general secretary Harinder Gupta carried out the proceedings of the stage, while State vice-president Yudhvir Sethi, who looked after the affairs of rally, presented vote of thanks.
State Vice-Presidents Bharat Bhushan and Karan Singh, MLC Ramesh Arora, Vikram Randhawa, Surinder Ambardar and Girdhari Lal Raina, MLAs Rajiv Sharma and Dr. Gagan Bhagat, State secretary Sanjay Baru, district presidents Jangbir Singh, Baldev Singh Billawaria, Ayodhya Gupta, Omi Khajuria, Manmohan Singh and Chandji Bhat and all the senior leaders, activists and general public attended the function.
Meanwhile, Accession Day was celebrated at Kathua by BJP under the leadership of Prem Nath Dogra district president while at Doda the function was presided over by district president Mandeep Razdan. ABVP Jammu Maha Nagar also celebrated the Accession Day here today. In Dangri, Rajouri function was organized to celebrate the day under the leadership of MLC, Vibodh Gupta.