JAMMU: In the series of programmes being organised to celebrate the 70th Independence Day, the ‘Azaad 70’ with the theme of ‘Yaad Karo Qurbani’, the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, along with Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh and J&K State BJP leadership will address public at Smailpur, the birth place of Praja Parishad and Jana Sangh former President Pt. Premnath Dogra on 20th August.
Addressing media persons here on Friday, BJP State President and MLA Sat Sharma alongwith State General Secretary Dr. Narinder Singh and State Chief Spokesperson Sunil Sethi, said that this will be part of the nationwide programmes, wherein the Union Ministers have been deputed to visit the birth places of National Icons, places of historical importance related to India’s independence movement and memorials of such leaders who took part in the independence agitation and secured freedom for the country. During the fortnight programmes to celebrate 70th Independence Day, ‘Prabhat Pheris’ were taken out at District and Mandal levels. Similarly, Yuva Morcha took out Mashal Rallies. It was for the first time that the national Tricolour was hoisted at booth level by the party activists. On 18th August, BJP Mahila Morcha activists reached borders to tie Rakhis to army men and BSF personnel. The scheduled programme of 21st August is among one such programmes.
Sat Sharma said that at this stage, the call of Jammu Bandh by Chamber of Commerce and Industries Jammu, is not in the interest of the State and the nation.
“The letter which has been issued by Kashmir Chamber of Commerce asking Jammu Chamber of Commerce to go ahead with the Jammu Bandh on 20th August in support of the claims of Kashmir Chamber against the alleged killing of innocent civilians by security forces, is anti-national stance which has been taken by Kashmir Chamber of Commerce,: he said adding that if the Jammu Chamber of Commerce supports it, then its credentials will also come under suspicion.
The public of Jammu cannot support anti-national elements and as such Chamber of Commerce, Jammu, is called upon to reconsider the Bandh call, which will otherwise be playing in the hands of separatists and their supporters.
While the government at the Centre and coalition in the State are very much concerned towards bringing normalcy and peace in the Valley, unfortunately the role of Congress and NC has not been so positive and as a result of which the separatists and anti-national elements are being encouraged, he said.