Govt comes under attack over Kashmir unrest, Scindia calls for political solution

As the House took up a discussion on the ongoing trouble in Kashmir, various parties demanded 

sending an all-party delegation to the Valley even as Anurag Thakur, speaking on behalf of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Patry (BJP), said every party should come together and help in dealing with such situations.

Initiating the debate, Congress’ Jyotiraditya Scindia said over the past two years, since the BJP government came to power at the Centre, the situation in the Valley had “deteriorated” and had become “disappointing”. “The work done by our government in the last 10 years was undone by this government. They see everything from the rear mirror. BJP-PDP has shunned all principles...we have to heal the wounds with humanity,” he said.

The government is claiming that it is moving in every sector but the reality is different. “This government has miserably failed to restore peace in the Valley. There is an environment of insecurity and fear ....44 people have died and 3,140, half of them security personnel, are wounded and this government puts the onus on the state....I would like to ask questions. How many more deaths will happen? When they will get up from sleep,” he said.

Scindia said the people of Kashmir are facing huge problems as there is curfew since the last 12 days. “What was the reason? Why no one from the Central government visited Kashmir to review the situation... Infiltration is happening and our Defence Minister is distributing LED bulbs in Goa,” he said. 

Citing the case of a boy and a girl, who had allegedly gone blind due to pellet gun use by security forces, Scindia said: “This government uses lethal weapons against innocent people.”

Attacking the government further, the Congress leader alleged that there was an “environment of communalism” and “intolerance” in the country and referred to incidents like Dadri lynching and Hyderabad University issue. He said people were making irresponsible statements and the government was not taking any action against them.

The Congress leader said Pakistan “is guilty” for this situation in Kashmir but “one should also introspect if there are some shortcomings in us also.” He said Modi had condoled the attacks in other parts of the world but had never said even a word on Kashmir.

Scindia said the government should secure the country’s borders. “I request this government to secure our borders. Secure our people before it gets too late. Act and act with a plan,” he said.

He said after returning from Africa visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called a high level meeting but the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister was not present. He questioned whether this was the “cooperative federalism” that this government keeps talking about.

The UPA government had taken several steps and worked with all stakeholders to maintain a peaceful environment and boost development of Kashmir, but since this government came into the power, the GDP of the Valley had declined by 7 per cent. He said incidents of infiltration and casualty of soldiers was on the rise and rhe government was behaving like a “silent spectator”.

However, MoS for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju intervened Scindia and said that the Congress leader should not mislead the House with “wrong facts”.

Scindia said the Pakistan policy of this government is “surprising”. “They (BJP) claimed that they would bring 10 heads (of Pakistanis) in case of one death...but today you are giving statements,” he said. 

Scindia noted that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given a call for observing ‘black day’ and described Burhan Wani, the Hizbul Mujahideen militant killed in encounter, as a “martyr”.

On the other hand, “our foreign ministry is only saying that please do not give such wrong statements. What can be more unfortunate than this? ...the foreign policy of this government has been failed completely,” the Congress leader said.