Bhadrapad Krushna Trutiya
Press Release
Jammu (J&K): To commemorate the Kashmiri Hindus Balidan Divas, Panun Kashmir organized a panel discussion on the topic of ‘ Indian Nation and challenges in Kashmir’ here.
The panelist on the occasion were Sh. Madan Lal Sharma, Cong MP from Jammu-Poonch constituency, Prof. Hari Om, vice president and spokesperson BJP, Prof. Keshav Sharma, Director the Business School, University of Jammu and an expert on current affairs, Sh. Harbans Nagokey, defence expert and editor Daily Adarsh Mail, Prof. MK Taing, chairman Advisory Council Panun Kashmir and constitutional expert and Sh. ON Trisal president All State Kashmiri Pandit Solidarity Conference(ASKPSC).
Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Madan Lal Sharma said that Kashmiri Pandits had and can play a very constructive role in resolving the Kashmir issue. He said that Kashmiri politicians have been playing a politics of blackmail and the successive governments have also succumbed to their tactics. He expressed his concern over the trait of Kashmiri politicians of joining separatist bandwagon to mislead the Kashmiri masses.
Without naming Peoples Democratic Party, Sharma said that Kashmiri politicians who have held highest chair in the government are acting like the spokesperson of separatist and misleading the Kashmiri masses. He said that this is high time that these elements are isolated.
Praising Dr. Ajay Chrungoo, chairman Panun Kashmir for his straight forward and asserting presentations in the Round Table Conference, Sharma said that even the Prime Minister himself acknowledged his brilliance and shook hands with him after walking over to him.
He said that though Congress has not officially come out with its stand on the demand of Panun Kashmir,(Homeland for Kashmiri Hindus in Kashmir), but he in his personal capacity feels that there is no harm if the issue is discussed at highest fora. Sharma said that if the demands for self rule and autonomy can be discussed why not Panun Kashmir. He said that he would take up there demand at the highest level in the party. He appealed all to rise above the party politics to face the challenges in Kashmir.
Prof. M K Taing in his remarks said, "Indian state is in conflict with Indian nation" which is the root cause of major problems in the country. He said that Indian state wants to deny the continuance of Indian civilization and all its formulations aim at defining India as a country with Unity in iversity.
He informed that it was this mindset which was revealed during the constituent assembly debate on the preamble where Bharat was described as India i.e. Bharat and not the vice-versa. He said that the mindset of Indian state has to change to resolve the Kashmir issue. He said that nothing less than Panun Kashmir, with free flow of Indian constitution can satisfy the aspirations of nationalist Kashmiris.
BJP vice president and spokesperson Prof. Hari Om said that Indian state is essentially subversive in nature and major challenge in Kashmir is from Indian state itself. Elaborating he said that when JKLF chairman Yasin Malik conducted a 113 days long programme Safar-e-Azaadi, all the wherewithals were provided by the Indian state including security and the representatives of the Government like Wajahat Habibullah, CIC, Govt. of India, Prem Shanker Jha, Sushoba Bharve, Gautam navlakha, Kuldeep Nayyar supported and joined him.
He said that while then Prime Minister and Congress president Indira Gandhi opposed the opening of Mughal road claiming it to be a security threat, the present Prime Minister has provided all the support for making it operational.
Prof. Hari Om said that Jammu agitation over Shri Amarnath land issue which was against intolerant politics in Kashmir has provided a new beginning and the BJP national leadership has also come out openly in support of a special dispensation for Kashmiri Hindus in Kashmir valley.
Senior journalist and Editor Adarsh mail Harbans Nagokey said that Jammu agitation has brought Kashmiri pandits and the people of Jammu on a common platform and provided them an opportunity to think together on the dangers of intolerant and extremist forces.
He said that earlier when KPs talked on Panun Kashmir, people deemed it as an unachieveable dream but the situation has changed completely and now it seems to be an achievable goal in near future.
Nagokey termed the conflict economy as a major challenge in Kashmir claiming that certain unscrupulous elements are feeding on it.
Prof. Keshav Sharma said that there are apprehensions among the nationalist that Govt. of India is trying to appease separatists elements by compromising on Indian sovereignty. He said that no such compromise would be allowed on Kashmir. He hit hard against government policy of giving VIP treatment to separatists and their supporters.
ASKPSC president ON Trisal said that pan-Islamic movement in Kashmir is the major challenge to nation in Kashmir which is now spreading to hinterland in India. He said that another challenge in Kashmir is the threat to democratic institutions. He said that peace and proxy war cannot go together and both UPA and NDA must understand it. He said that peace process should be immediately stopped.
Jammu Tigers president Kuljeet Singh presented the vote of thanks. The programme was conducted by Shailendra Aima and Ajaat Jamwal.
