Early Times Report
Jammu, May 18: As India intensifies its call to boycott Turkey over its military support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, a controversial move by Ankit Love, leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) and son of the late Prof. Bhim Singh, has sparked outrage. Love recently attended a Turkish aerospace fair, reportedly to explore opportunities for developing an air force for Jammu and Kashmir, a move that has drawn sharp criticism given the nationwide sentiment against Turkey.
In a statement issued in the media, Love, who earlier had tendered an unconditional apology from the Government of India for his misdeeds, said that he has a dream to have Jammu and Kashmir’s Air Force.
Despite Turkey boycott call, Ankit Love, a London-based politician and JKNPP leader, attended a Turkish aerospace fair, reportedly to explore collaborations for establishing an air force for Jammu and Kashmir. This move has been perceived as tone-deaf, given Turkey’s role in escalating tensions with India. Love’s attendance at the fair, which showcased advanced military technology, has raised questions about his intentions, especially since Jammu and Kashmir, as a Union Territory, operates under India’s centralized defense f A controversial move by Ankit Love, leader of the J&K National Panthers Party (JKNPP) and son of the late Prof. Bhim Singh, has sparked outrage.
Love recently attended a Turkish aerospace fair, reportedly to explore opportunities for developing an air force for J&K
Love, who earlier had tendered an unconditional apology to the GOI for his misdeeds has once again crossed the line.
Despite Turkey boycott call, Love attending the fair has raised questions about his intentions.
Love’s actions are particularly notable given his history with the Indian government. In May 2023, he tendered an unconditional apology to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for participating in an anti-India protest in London in February 2022, where he pelted eggs and stones at the Indian High Commission. This incident led to his blacklisting by the Indian government, barring him from entering India. His apology was prompted by the need to perform the last rites of his mother, Jay Mala, a Supreme Court lawyer who died on April 26, 2023. Following his apology, the government issued a three-month emergency visa, allowing him to travel to Jammu to conduct the funeral on the banks of the Devika River in Udhampur. The visa, granted on May 4, 2023, expired on August 2, 2023.
In his open letter to the Prime Minister, Love expressed regret, stating, “I deeply and sincerely regret my actions and apologise for my mistake… I assure you that henceforth there will be no such act by me against my Nation, which I love very much and am very much proud of.” This apology was seen as a condition for his removal from the blacklist, enabling his return to India for his mother’s last rites. |
