Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Jan 20: Lashing out at the opposition criticism of the Modi Government’s handling of Kashmir and Pakistan, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that the opposition is rattled by successful anti-militancy operations in the Valley and when these leaders allege that the situation in Kashmir is worsening, they are actually worried about the worsening of their own political fortunes if militancy comes to an end and there is a free,fair play of democracy.
Dr Jitendra Singh, who was speaking after releasing a book on “Kashmir Terrorism” written by an ex-serviceman, Major Saras Tripathi, said that over the years, the so-called mainstream political parties and leaders have developed a vested interest in the continuation of militancy because their political survival flourishes in an atmosphere of terrorism and fear where elections are held under the shadow of gun and they emerge victorious with meagre vote percentage.
Such leaders and their political groups, he said, are doing a great disservice not only to the cause of democracy but also to the people of Kashmir whose cause they apparently pretend to espouse.
Time has come, Dr Jitendra Singh said, to change the discourse on Kashmir and educate the masses of Kashmir about the hollow credentials of so- called separatism, so- called Azadi , as also so-called Kashmir – centric concerns of these leaders.
Describing the so-called Azadi movement as nothing but purely a “mercenary movement”, Dr Jitendra Singh said, there is neither Azadi nor any movement. It is only an industry which has flourished over the years and its beneficiaries raise the bogey of separatism by convenience and not by any ideology.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, time has also come to unmask the so-called mainstream politicians who, when in power swear by Kashmir being an integral part of India, but the moment they are thrown out of power they overnight resort to separatist jargon.
Dr Jitendra Singh, if at all there is any issue, related to Jammu and Kashmir, it is only to retrieve back the part of Kashmir known as PoJK as well as Gilgit and Baltistan which continue to remain under illegal occupation of Pakistan.
The book written by Major Saras Tripathi is published Prabhat Publishers. BJP National Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi and Lt. Gen Narendra Singh were also among the prominent persons who spoke on the occasion .
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