Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has alleged that the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre is taking the country back to the stone age era. Stating that the BJP is attempting to silence the voice of the political parties, Rawat said that the BJP may next try to gag the media which should question such intentions emphatically.
Around 24 hours ago in Udham Singh Nagar district a senior leader of the BJP had publicly said that whoever puts up the severed head of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi just outside the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus should be worshiped. The CM said that neither the BJP national president nor BJP leaders had condemned the objectionable statement which makes it appear as if they are lending moral support in the case.
Rawat said, "There are instances of BJP rewarding those who made threatening statements targeting a particular community. For instance a Meerut leader, who had made a statement against Yaqub Quraishi and Salman Rushdie, is currently enjoying powerful status." Stating that he believes such actions to be assault of the foundation of democracy, he did not disclose the name of this leader in question.
Replying to the media as to whether the State Government will take suo moto cognisance of the leader’s statement, the CM said that he does not want to 'use' Uttarakhand police like the BJP had used Delhi police in the JNU incident. Stressing that he had full faith in state police, Rawat said that police will take appropriate action against the leader in coming days.
He said, "They have been gagging the voice of political parties in a planned way. First they attacked Kanhaiya and CPI and now they are targeting Rahul Gandhi. We also know how BJP leaders are making provocative statements with the government sitting idle on the issue. They are propagating such practices which are not in line with democratic traditions. Democracy allows one to criticise anyone but you can’t pronounce judgments like a court," said Rawat.
He further said that Afzal Guru was hanged during UPA term at the Centre but the coalition did not hype up the issue as he was hanged by an order of court.
As far as tackling terrorism is concerned the incumbent government seems weak. Citing decorum of his constitutional post the CM said he could not say anything more. Making comparision between UPA and incumbent NDA regime CM said that UPA government had contained terrorism within three district but now it has reached Punjab and Himachal Pradesh as well.
Responding to a query on the Nainisar issue wherein goons of a tycoon are allegedly assaulting villagers protesting against the under construction building here, the CM said that BJP should clarify whether it is in favour of private investment in the mountainous region. They should clear their stand first, he said while adding that the people of Uttarakhand would vote him out of office if they are against private investment in the mountains.