STATE TIMES NEWS
VIJAYPUR: Expressing concern over the deteriorating political discourse in the country for vote bank politics, Harsh Dev Singh JKNPP Chairman and former Minister has called upon various political parties to stop politiciSing or questioning the surgical strikes made by the Army across LoC. While addressing public meeting in Gurha Salathia here on Sunday, he accused Congress and AAP leadership for raking up ugly controversies by questioning the veracity and authenticity of surgical strikes despite statements of such operation having been made by Army Chief and DGMO.
BJP on the other hand, committed a much larger sin, he added, by marketing the army’s achievements as its own, he said, adding that it was sacrilegious to portray Modi as Lord Rama as had been done by BJP workers in posters issued in U.P and Punjab. He regretted that rather than lauding the successful execution of the risky and perilous operation by the proud Indian Army, the political parties were indulging in a volley of mutual recriminations for vested political reasons adding further that political discourse should not be degraded below certain levels of decency and civility.
Saluting the brave-hearts and valiant soldiers who fought for the cause of the nation and for upholding our freedom and fraternity, Singh regretted that J and K Government in particular was averse to their supreme sacrifices. He said that several warriors of the state particularly of Jammu region laid down their lives for the defence of nation and for guarding its frontiers including six Martyrs of Six Dogra Regiment who were killed in Manipur attack last year, Naik Mool Raj of Jakh who was killed while fighting Pak Militants in Pathankot, Constable Santosh Singh and constable Azad Chand who were killed in 2013 Handwara militant attack, Capt Tushar who attained martyrdom while fighting enemy in Kashmir this year besides others, but the State Government failed to acknowledge their sacrifice.
Harsh said that denial of ex-gratia by the BJP partnered government in J and K was most reprehensible especially when various non BJP governments including SP Govt. of UP, JDU-RJD Government of Bihar, Congress Government of HP and erstwhile Congress Government of Haryana had released ex-gratia ranging from Rs. 11 to Rs. 35 lakh to each of their native soldiers martyred in Kashmir turmoil. He said that Samba District had produced many warriors and brave-hearts, who had made historical contribution for the honour of the nation and appealed to the public of the district to support the cause of families of army martyrs.
Recalling the notable contributions made by the Dogras for the cause of the State, Singh regretted that the proud land of Dogras was being subjected to the most hostile discrimination today with its people being treated as second class citizens.
He said that it happened for the first time in the history of the State that all 10,000 posts of SPOs sanctioned for the State went to Kashmir region to the total exclusion of Jammu region with BJP shamelessly justifying the decision. He regretted the neglect of martyrs of Amarnath Ji row in the matter of payment of ex-gratia while the State Government had paid compensation to families of deceased stone pelters of Kashmir and was paying monthly honorarium to surrendered militants.
While describing the BJP ministers as ornamental pieces in the PDP led government, Harsh regretted that none had the courage to confront the Kashmir centric leadership over the issue of persistent bias perpetrated against Jammu region. He said that under the prevailing circumstances JKNPP was the only hope for the people of Jammu region.
Yash Paul Kundal appealed to the people to strengthen Panthers Party which was the only recognized political party of Jammu region. It could bail out the people from subjugation and deprivation.
Prominent among those who addressed the gathering included Yash Paul Kundal, Rajesh Padgotra and Khajoor Singh.
