J&K BJP to ensure rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, skirts controversial issues

There has been unease in BJP’s ties with the PDP, especially over the release of Masarat Alam and on the issue of return of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.

The ruling BJP in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday passed a resolution pledging to ensure rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley but avoided any reference to recent controversies like on separate settlements for those displaced by militancy.

In the first meeting of the BJP’s state working committee after it came to power for the first time in the state, the party appeared keen not to rock the boat by raking up any controversial issue, including on separatists, and said it would not allow any activity in the state which will be “detrimental to the national interest”.

The party also committed to rehabilitation of refugees from West Pakistan and PoK while skirting the issue of their citizenship.

While releasing the resolution adopted by the party during the two-day meeting of the state working committee held in Katra, BJP state chief spokesman Sunil Sethi said Kashmiri Pandits make the “identity of Kashmir complete” and the party would ensure their rehabilitation in the Valley as per their aspirations.

“It is resolved that the identity of Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits and it will be ensured that they return to the Valley as per the security and safety requirements and that their settlement in Kashmir will be as per their desires, aspirations and practicability,” he said.

On the issue of West Pakistan refugees, the party said it would ensure that the refugees are given their rights to livelihood and meaningful living.

Sethi said the party would also resolve to work for the one time settlement of the refugees from the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The party resolved to show gratitude to the voters of Jammu and Kashmir, who have overwhelmingly voted in “favour of democracy by rejecting all threats and intimidations from organisation and separatism”.

“It is resolved that the coalition of PDP and BJP will work for betterment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir by addressing the issue of unemployment, ensuring corruption-free and responsive government,” Sethi said.

He said the nationalism in Jammu and Kashmir will be encouraged and no activity will be allowed in the state which will be “detrimental to the national interest”.

As per the party sources, the resolution comes days after when the senior party leaders asked the local unit of BJP to keep itself away from controversies and focus on the issues of governance and showcase its achievements to the people of the state.

There has been unease in BJP’s ties with the PDP, especially over the release of separatist leader Masarat Alam and on the issue of return of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.

Source:: Indian Express