Azad’s bold stance unnerves BJP
In the backdrop of discrete silence being maintained by ‘ultra-nationalist’ BJP and other Kashmir centric so-called mainstream parties over the wide-spread protests and violence after the killing of Burhan Wani, the bold statement from former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad is seen as a departure from ‘selective posturing’ with regard to Pakistan sponsored terrorism.
Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir and having vital political stakes in the State, Azad has stood like a statesman against protests which the Valley is witnessing for the past two days. His public admission of Burhan Wani being a terrorist and observations over people mourning death of a terrorist is in contrast with the posturing of other mainstream parties, which subtly showcase him as a ‘youth icon’. The bold statement of the former Chief Minister has even exposed the hypocrisy of the local leadership of BJP, which failed in rising to occasion and decrying the protests the way Azad did.
“The BJP is finding itself in the dock for being mute to situation arising in the Valley and nervousness remains galore in the local leadership
after bold statement of Ghulam Nabi Azad”, said a senior BJP functionary on the condition of anonymity.
Azad’s bold and matter-of-fact statement is seen in consonance with his ‘bullet for bullet’ policy. Azad might have received many a brickbats from separatists and votaries of human rights for spelling out a clear cut policy but he never compromised with his nationalist credentials and stood tall in the crowd of opportunistic politicians. His doctrine was crisp and thought provoking “How can you initiate talks with terrorists, who after attaining training from across the border, come to kill you. Either you have to kill him, otherwise you will be killed.”
Azad always stated on public platforms during his tenure as Chief Minister, “We may have talks with the neighbouring country but as far as terrorism goes, there can be no tolerance and they should be dealt with a stem hand.”
The plain-speaking done by Azad has also exposed the double-speak of other political leaders in the state who could not muster enough courage to lead from the front and give firm response to the propagandists desperately trying to create ‘heroic’ image of Burhan Wani by way of hard selling his killing at the hands of security forces in a joint operation in Kokernag area of Anantnag district.
The state BJP leaders led by Deputy Chief Minister Prof Nirmal Singh have so far remained aloof and busy in little world of their office chambers. They have not been seen on the ground addressing the issues confronting stranded population of pilgrims and tourists. At last count more than 10,000 pilgrims have been stuck in Jammu base camp following suspension of Yatra for last two days but instead of reaching out to them and
organising their comfortable stay and return journey back home, the state BJP ministers and senior party leaders decided to stay mum.
