The Congress on Wednesday slammed the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir Government in the lok Sabha over the unrest in the Valley. Initiating the debate, urging for a political solution, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said over the last two years, since the BJP Government came to power at the Centre, the situation in the Valley has “deteriorated” and has become “disappointing”. Participating in the debate, various parties demanded sending an all-party delegation to the Valley even as Anurag Thakur, speaking on behalf of the ruling BJP, said every political party should come together and help in dealing with such situations.
Alleging failure on part of the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir Government, Scindia said, “The work done by our Government in the last 10 years was undone by this Government. They see everything from the rear mirror. BJP-PDP has shunned all principles...We have to heal the wounds with humanity.” The government is claiming that it is moving in ever sector but reality is different.
“This Government has miserably failed to restore peace in the valley. There is an environment of insecurity and fear ....44 people have died and 3140, half of them security personnel, are wounded and this government puts the onus on the state,” he said.
While attacking the Government, the Congress leader alleged that there was an “environment of communalism” and “intolerance” in the country and referred to incidents like Dadri lynching and the Hyderabad University issue. The Congress leader said Pakistan “is guilty” for this situation in Kashmir but “one should also introspect if there are some shortcomings in us also”. He said Modi has condoled the attacks in other parts of the world but never said even a single word on Kashmir.
BJP member Anurag Thakur, while acknowledging that situation in Jammu and Kashmir is “grave” and “special, said it is very easy to level allegations. He said every political party should come together and help in dealing with these situations. “We have to work together to create a conducive environment in the state,” he said.
Referring to demands by opposition parties for holding dialogue, Thakur wondered with whom talks could be held as it appears that the current bout of mob violence is leadersless. He said if separatist Hurriyat Conference was in control, it should help in restoring peace which is the first priority.
Thakur said those indulging in mob violence to think about their poor Kashmiri brethren, mainly those depending on daily earnings, whose livelihood has been affected badly due to the unrest. He criticised the special status to the state and raised questions with regard to reasons for emergence of the current unrest in the state.
Responding to opposition attack over use of pellet guns, he said these weapons had been used for the first time during violence in 2010 when the state was ruled by National Conference and UPA was in power at the Centre.