Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley on Monday led the charge against the Jammu and Kashmir government over the Kishtwar violence, claiming that it had not taken enough measures to control the situation, comparing the events to 1990 when a “community was compelled to leave”.
He asserted that the incidence was “not just an inter-community conflict” - a phrase that was echoed by other party leaders who spoke during the discussion. “The violence in Kishtwar and adjoining areas involves the sovereignty and integrity of the country and should not be seen only as a clash between two communities,” Jaitley said.
Jaitley also said that government was trying to impose “censorship” by not allowing him and others to visit the state.
“The state of Jammu and Kashmir is not the property of any one family,” he said, hitting out at State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The CM’s father, Farooq Abdullah, who was sitting in the front benches of the treasury side, retorted that no one was allowed to visit Gujarat during 2002 riots. “Gujarat is not the property of Narendra Modi,” he asserted, which led to loud protests from the BJP members.
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati demanded the imposition of President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir after dismissing the state government, which had failed to prevent violence in Kishtwar.
She pointed out that the BSP district president’s son had been brutally shot dead with 17 bullets found on his body.
“Home minister of the state remained silent on the episode. An FIR should be lodged against him and he should be jailed. If the government fails to lodge an FIR, then President’s Rule should be imposed by sacking the state government,” she said, noting that the state minister had been in Kishtwar during the violence.
From Left to Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi party and AIADMK, leaders expressed anguish at the episode and demanded central intervention to prevent further clashes and insisted it was bigger than a simple communal riot.
But, most of them did not agree with BSP’s demand for President’s rule in the state.
JD-U’s K C Tyagi said the issue needed all seriousness, claiming that militants would concentrate on Kashmir after the exit of US forces from Afghanistan next year.
Without naming any political party, Mohammad Shafi of J&K National Conference said the incident should not be viewed from a communal angle and it is important to know why such a situation has arisen just before 2014 general elections.
The last MP to speak, Congress’ Karan Singh, who is the son of the last Maharaja of Kashmir, said that the Centre had to take “bold and creative decisions” on Kashmir.
