Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: Expressing total solidarity with India which is fighting cross border terrorism for decades together, Robert John Blackman, Member of Parliament (MP) of United Kingdom from Harrow East area today said that Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with India to face the challenge of terrorism. Robert, better known as Bob Blackman, said Jammu and Kashmir is integral part of India and liberation of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is the issue which has to be solved.
Addressing “Meet the Press” organized by Press Club of Jammu here this evening, Bob Blackman said that accession of Kashmir with India was final because “Instrument of Accession” was signed by none less than the then ruler of Jammu and Kashmir on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He lambasted those who are raising questions about accession of J&K with Indian Union.
Cautioning Indian Government against malicious campaign launched by some Pakistani groups in Britain, Bob said that Pakistani diaspora has successfully launched a vicious campaign against India in Britain as far as Kashmir is concerned. He said that Pakistani diaspora has been reflecting propagandist picture on Kashmir in UK and real picture was never exhibited before the people.
Bob, who along with some NGOs of Jammu and Kashmir, is trying to present real picture of Jammu and Kashmir before the British Parliament, said he along with some other MPs have started the process to use diplomatic means to present the real picture of Kashmir in Britain.
Replying to the queries of media persons, Bob Blackman said that problem of radicalization was not confined only to Britain or India but it was a worldwide issue.”Radicalization among younger people is a worldwide trend and it is high-time for the world community to come together to solve this problem”, he said and admitted that this problem is emerging as bigger challenge in Britain.
Later the British law maker called on former Deputy Chief Minster and BJP Legislative Party leader, Dr Nirmal Singh and discussed the prevailing situation in the State with him in view of Pak sponsored terrorism.
Dr Singh informed him that Pakistan was the brain behind terrorism in J&K as well as other parts of country. He regretted that despite the terrorists creating huge devastation and destruction in various countries all over the world some foreign powers continue to create a confusion on the name of good terrorism and bad terrorism when terrorist is a terrorist and rejected the statement as good terrorism or bad terrorism. He while taking a dig at Pakistan for its failure in roping the mastermind of terrorism operating from its soil said Hafiz Syed and Azhar Masood who are involved in terrorist attacks in India are roaming freely in Pakistan. They are directly involved in anti India terror attacks. He said that world community should impress upon the Pakistan to take action against them.
Dr Singh said that Army also rules roost in Pakistan with the result Pak Government is unable to contain the terrorism from its soil. He said Pak made India to bleed over the years by sponsoring terrorist activities against India which led to exodus of lakhs of people not only from Kashmir Valley but other reaches of Jammu also. He said after the migration of people West Pakistan and PoK in 1947 India saw another biggest migration from Kashmir in 1989-90 when lakhs of Kahsmiri Pandits and other nationalist people were forced to flee by the terrorists on gun point.
Bob Blackman however informed Dr Singh that during his visit to Kashmir people complained that there was lot of corruption in the administration and funds were not utilized properly. However Dr Singh said this could be a complaint about the previous Governments but so far the 10 month long previous PDP-BJP coalition was concerned there is no such allegation as we showed zero tolerance against corruption and showed door to 62 corrupt officers. He said besides efforts were made for equitable development of all three regions of the State and Jammu and Ladakh were also given their due share in Rs 80,000 crore PM package.
During the day British MP gave a special lecture entitled Emerging Jammu and Kashmir: Crisis and Hopes” at one day seminar at Jammu University today. He said that entire J&K belongs to India historically, legally and geographically. So there is no dispute in the matter. Pak claims on so called Azad Kashmir are also false and misleading, he added.
Bob also appreciated the current NDA Government’s policy on zero tolerance on terrorism. “Modi’s dynamic foreign policy has brought about a massive praise in UK”, he added.
After the welcome and introduction by Prof Shalinder Singh Jamwal a plaque of honour was presented to Bob Blackman Gandhian Centre, G9 Concerns and Deptt of History with the blessings of Prof Jigar Mohammed, Dean Research Studies.
The British MP also visited the Legislative Council Secretariat here. Mr Blackman was accompanied by Surinder Ambardar, MLC and Mrs Laxmi Koul, Founder of KP Cultural Society London.. Mr Blackman’s three day visit to Jammu is being organized by Mr Ambardar.
Legislators Muzaffar Ahmad Parray, Sham Lal Bhagat and Surinder Choudhary besides Secretary Legislative Council Abdul Hamid and other senior officers of the Council Secretariat were present on the occasion.
MLC and Trustee Dharmarth Trust, Vikramaditya Singh hosted a tea party for the British MP and his wife at Amar Mahal Palace & Museum where they interacted with prominent citizens, senior political leaders , educationists, members of business community, ex-servicemen and media persons of the Jammu.
Vikramaditya Singh presented a book to Bob containing a reproduction of miniature paintings from the Basohli School of Art which are housed and exhibited at the Amar Mahal Museum. In his brief address Bob extended his hand in support of important issues concerning the State.
Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) also felicitated the Bob Blackman during the day by terming him a friend of Dogras, his wife Nicola Blackman, Mrs Lakshmi Kaul and Mrs Manu Khajuria Singh Founder of Voice of Dogras in UK.
In his welcome address Maj Gen (retd) Goverdhan Singh Jamwal lauded the role and efforts of Blackman in pleading the cause of India in general and J&K in particular in UK.
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