JAMMU AUGUST 11 (KNS):  Former Minister and Senior BJP leader Ajay Kumar Sadhotra while interacting with the people at Lower Karwanda, accused the BJP of being ignorant about the deep rooted bonds of communal amity and brotherhood in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the National Conference has not only sustained this spirit but remained in forefront during the 1947 tribal raid in Kashmir to save the honour and dignity of the minorities by challenging the Pakistan intruders with the slogan of ‘Hamlawar Hoshiar Hum Kashmiri Hai Tayade’ under the strong leadership of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. The meeting was organized by Sh. Kartar Chand.

Reacting to immature and unrealistic statement of the BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, raising finger on the National Conference by holding it ‘responsible for exodus and atrocities on Kashmiri Pandits’, Mr Sadhotra said this speaks of his flight of imagination with sick mindset. He recalled the commitment of the National Conference about safe and dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits, recalling the repeated assertions of Dr Farooq Abdullah that Kashmir was incomplete without Pandits and his party wants them to return. Kashmiri Pandits are part of the Valley and the National Conference has been striving to bring them back as the party believes that Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits, he added.

Mr Sadhotra further added that tireless efforts were also made during Govt headed by Omar Abdullah for secure, honorable and dignified return of KPs. Mr Sadhotra also referred to resolutions passed during the delegate sessions of the National Conference, one of which passed in October 29, 2017, held at Srinagar, reading, “The tragic exodus of our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters is a dark chapter in history of J&K and remains a source of pain and agony for every conscientious citizen of the state. Their dignified return and rehabilitation remains unfulfilled and no headway has been made in this direction. While the stakeholders might differ on the features of the return and rehabilitation initiative, there is overwhelming unanimity over the need to take all possible steps to facilitate their return with utmost honour and dignity.” He asked the BJP what it has done in this regard since 2014 after coming to power at the centre and remaining in coalition with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir between 2015- 2019 and thereafter through gubernatorial rule which continues even now?

 Mr Sadhotra took jibe at the BJP saying how can its National General Secretary call their erstwhile coalition partner as anti national. He reminded Tarun Chugh of forming government with the PDP with none other than the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi remaining present at the swearing in ceremony. This is worse type of duplicity and double standards, which has become trademark of the BJP. Mr Sadhotra asked the BJP to behave responsibly in its public discourse as people are wise enough to see through their divisive, destructive and reactionary politics that has brought the nation at the crossroads of history.

Others who spoke on the occasion are S/Sh Pt Dutt Ji, Pt Surinder Kumar Ji, Bawa Ramesh Chander, Kartar Chand Ji, Puran Chand, Janak Raj Ji, Ch Subash, Dr Rajinder Sharma Ji, Pt Thoru Ram, Raghubir Singh Manhas District President, Randhir Singh Chib, , Manmohan. The local people put demands of water, road and electricity before Mr Sadhotra during interaction. Former Minister assured the people that he will take up their problems with the concerned officers for early redressal.(KNS)