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| SASB should not feel intimidated, says BJP | | 'Incumbent upon Govt to honor SC panel recommendations' | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 18: In what can be seen as political tempers heating up once again over the issue of augmenting infrastructural facilities for Shri Amarnath Yatra, hours after Hurriyat leader and hardline separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani warned to launch agitation against coalition Government in J&K, State unit of BJP reacted sharply asking SASB not to get intimidated by such 'extremist threats' and carry on with the proposed development works in coordination with the Government to ensure better, safe and secure yatra next year for the lakhs of pilgrims.
"Geelani should learn to respect the people attached with holy Amarnath Yatra in the same manner as he respects the sanctity of Haj pilgrimage……it is in keeping with the spirit of constitution of India and J&K State where he lives that freedom of religion is guaranteed ….is becomes incumbent upon the Government and polity in general not only to ensure freedom of religion and non interference in affairs of the pilgrimage but also to facilitate the practice of any religion without intimidating any community..", said Dr Jitender Singh , Chief Spokesperson and members National Executive of BJP.
Geelani today forcefully reiterated his threat to launch a mass agitation, after the forthcoming Eid, against the State Government's road connectivity project for the Amarnath cave in Kashmir Valley. While he has been opposing such moves that would ensure better facilities including broadening of roads and tracks, his threat today came in the wake of fresh development of SASB and State Government holding meeting on Wednesday to study the recommendations made by high powered committee of Apex Court which has suggested to create more facilities for smooth pilgrimage next year . The meeting was held to discuss the recommendations and formulate a strategy so that works could be effectively carried within stipulated time.
However, Geelani today was up in arms against this meeting and apart from a fresh threat to launch agitation on streets of Kashmir he alleged all this was being done under a conspiracy to change the demography of the Kashmir and also accused State Government of carrying forward the 'agenda of central Government '. BJP leadership came down heavily upon the statement of Geelani and said it amounted to intimidating SASB and pressurizing State Government not to go ahead with development works.
"Statements like this only foment communal passions and create disharmony ……unfortunately the so called Kashmir centric mainstream political parties also fall in the trap of competitive politics to appease the separatist sentiment……..", said the BJP leader asserting that " any move to force the authorities to stall work or launching agitation will have country wide repercussions which Geelani must keep in mind ….".
He said it is the duty and obligation of SASB led by the Governor to discharge its responsibility of ensuring comfortable , secure Yatra without any fear or intimidation from any quarter. He said apart from providing security, it is the duty of State Government enshrined under provisions of Shrine Act 2000 to provide facilities and infrastructure , which have also been sought by the SC committee recently in the backdrop of the causalities and sufferings faced by pilgrims due to lack of such facilities. |
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