Ignoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sound piece of advice to BJP leaders at a recently concluded National Executive meeting in Odisha to maintain caution while making statements and to not get carried away with emotions and make untoward remarks, a senior BJP leader Cabinet Minister in Jammu & Kashmir has shot himself in the foot by claiming that the youth throwing stones in Kashmir should be dealt with bullets.
The statement was made by Chander Parkash Ganga, holding charge of Industries and Commerce Department on April 16, on the sidelines of a function in Ramgarh area of his Assembly constituency.
He was commenting on the video ferrying local Kashmiri boy tied to an Army jeep.
Video of his statement has now gone viral in the ongoing ‘war of videos’ on various social media platforms.
His utterances have also annoyed PDP leaders especially at a time when popularity charts of PDP leadership has noose dived across Kashmir valley over their poor handling of the prevailing law and order situation in Kashmir valley.
After hue and cry was raised by various other mainstream politicians, including National Conference leaders, the Minister issued a clarification on Thursday claiming his statement was misinterpreted by a section of media.
In the video which has gone viral, Ganga was heard saying “They are traitors, whether they have come from Pakistan or live here. There is only one remedy for them and that is bullets. And if not bullets, they should be handed over such a punishment like the youth who are beaten with sticks by forces. Take my word that next time they (the youth) won’t throw stones.”
“What 'azaadi' are they demandingIJ” Ganga is heard asking reporters.
“While one video shows forces beating three youths and forcing them to raise 'Pakistan Murdabad' slogans, in another video a soldier slaps and hits teenage boys held inside a vehicle, forcing them to raise anti-Pakistan slogans. One of the boys with his face wounded by the beating is shown crying. “Did you see the video in which the youth are raising anti-Pakistan slogansIJ” asks the Minister in the video clip. “laatoon kay boot baaton sey nahi mantay…inka ilaaj yehi hai. Till these people are handled in a right way they won't give up their evil acts. Once they are taught a lesson only then will they fall in line,” the Minister stated in the video.
Meanwhile, reacting to the irresponsible statement of BJP Minister, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vice-president, Mohammad Sartaj Madni Thursday said that such “disgusting utterances” are not only unjustifiable but perilous as well.
“It is unbecoming of a senior Minister in the Government to dish out such a sweeping, sickening and intimidating statement against the Kashmiri youth,” Madni said in a statement.
He said instead of reaching out to the distressed and alienated Kashmiri youth and address their concerns, the hawkish rhetoric of such fringe elements has the danger of further adding to the alienation of the people and impeding the government's efforts of restoring peace and calm in the Valley.
National Conference too condemned the controversial and communally loaded statement of J&K Government Cabinet Minister where he had brazenly advocated for use of bullets against protesters in Kashmir.