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| Sonia on Kashmir secession body, says BSKS | | Congress In The Dock | | Neha
Jammu, Dec 12: The Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena (BSKS) President, Tajinder Singh Bagga, yesterday accused AICC president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi of associating herself with an international organization which, he alleged, stands for the independence of Jammu and Kashmir. He referred to the Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia-Pacific (FDL-AP). He demanded the cancellation of her Lok Sabha seat. Bagga leveled this serious charge in a press conference in New Delhi. His main refrain was that since Sonia Gandhi had not clarified her position on the issue of great national import, she cannot be allowed to sit in the Lok Sabha, the highest law-making body of the country.
The FDL-AF, which is considered a non-profit organization, was established in December 1994 with a view to promoting democracy within the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Its co-presidents are former President of Republic of the Philippines Corazon Aquino, AICC president and chairperson of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation Sonia Gandhi, president National Congress for New politics Kim dae-Jung and former President of Costa Rica Oscar Arias Sanchez. Although the FDL-AP has been focusing its attention primarily on Burma, Cambodia and youth education, it has also been focusing on the Kashmir "conflict". It calls the Kashmir "conflict" a "lesser known struggle". The FDL-AP has been also concentrating on issues ranging from struggles for self-determination, human rights and social justice. All this clearly shows that the credentials of the FDL-AP are doubtful.
Bagga does make a point when he questions the motives of the FDL-AP. He appears logical when one views his assertions in the light of what the FDL-AP says in a section, "Independent Jammu and Kashmir: Justifications & advantages". It asserts, "the best and most logical solution of the Kashmir issue is to re-unite Indian and Pakistani controlled parts of Jammu and Kashmir State (the Vale of Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan) and make it a totally independent country having friendly relations both with India and Pakistan".
It was not for the first time yesterday that fingers were raised against Sonia Gandhi. Only a month ago (November 6), a leading website Vijayvaani.com carried a detailed article on the FDL-AP and its activities. It not only questioned the association of Sonia Gandhi with the FDL-AP, but it also, among other things, said: "In a perverse version of history, FDL-AP claims that the principal Indian and Pakistani leaders were committed to complete independence of Kashmir. Jawaharlal Nehru had declared on August 9, 1951 and Indian representative Gopalaswami Ayengar had declared at the UN Security Council on Jan. 15, 1948 that India fully recognized Kashmiris' right to complete independence; Mohammad Ali Jinnah's statements of June 17, July 11 and 30, 1947 recognized Kashmiris' right to independence". It also said: "An independent J&K, says FDL-AP, can progress through eco-tourism and technology-based development, and in the current era of economic globalization, borders have less sanctity (the American dream for Asia). Indian and Pakistani concerns over security and water rights would be ensured by treaties and a tripartite permanent monitoring commission. Both countries would save on defence expenditure. All they have to do, says FDL-AP, is part with the territories of Jammu Kashmir now under their respective control, and enjoy permanent peace, prosperity and glory".
If one goes by what Bagga said and what Vijayvaani.com wrote, then it can be said that the FDL-AP is an organization that doesn't consider Jammu and Kashmir part of India, which places India at par with Pakistan, that gives legitimacy to the politics of self-determination, based on religious fanaticism or two-nation theory, and that toys with the idea of balkanizing India and satisfying the separatist and communal urges of the Kashmiri leadership at whatever cost. Sonia Gandhi is not just president of AICC. She is also chairperson of the UPA, which has been ruling India since May 2004. Her association with the FDL-AP does raise serious questions. She and the Congress party need to clear their stand on Jammu and Kashmir. |
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