BJP Turns Down Partner PDP’s Call For Talks With Stone-Throwers

Bharatiya Janata Party today poured cold water over oft repeated pro-dialogue statements of its ally Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, saying no talks can be held with Pakistan or with internal stake holders in the present conditions.

The party went further and said, “those, who are advocating for holding negotiations to reach at political solution for Kashmir problem, are doing so to befool people.”

The BJP state spokesperson Prof. Virender Gupta, however, preferred to target the opposition National Conference ostensibly to convey its message to the PDP.

“Those, particularly, the NC leaders, who themselves are responsible for the present state of affairs, are still engaged in provoking the youth by their statements are blaming the PDP-BJP alliance government in the state for the turmoil”, Virender said.

The spokesman said it is Abdullah family that always kept Kashmir region boiling.

The BJP statement has come a day after ruling PDP’s candidate for Anantnag-Pulwama parliamentary constituency, Mufti Tassaduq Hussain, stated that “the foremost need” in Kashmir is to “hold talks with stone throwers.”

“First hold talks with the stone-throwers. Talks on the larger issues can be held later,” Mufti Tassaduq, who is brother of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Thursday, said while interacting with Kashmiri pandits at Jagti in Jammu.

Early this week Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, advocated for dialogue saying nothing will be achieved through violence and dialogue is only way forward.

Prof. Virender, also censured all those, who condemned the government force action, in which three civilian protesters were killed in Budgam. He said the stone throwers were shielding the militants.

Three youths, Zahid Rashid Ganai, 24; Amir Fayaz Waza, 18; Ishaq Ahmed Wani, 24, were killed and 35 others were wounded on Tuesday after government forces opened fired on protesters near a gunfight site at Chadoora in Budgam, around 20 kms, from city centre Lal Chowk, Srinagar.

A militant, Touseef Ahmed Wagay of south Kashmir’s Kulgam area, who was hiding in a house, was also killed during the encounter.

The killings of the civilian protesters have been widely condemned by various political parties including National Conference. They described the action of the forces disproportionate as only a Chinese pistol and few rounds were recovered from the militant.

The BJP spokesman in condescending manner has asked Kashmiri leaders to use their energy to keep youth away from gunfight spots.

The spokesman said the government should take serious note of pro-Azadi, pro- Pakistan and anti-India posters and flags displayed in different parts of the valley.

The BJP leader said remaining indifferent to these incidents only shows helplessness or weakness of the government and sends wrong signals.
He said the authority of the government has to prevail if situation is to be brought to normalcy.

The BJP leader also advocated that restrictions should be put on social media “as it is being used by Pakistan and secessionist forces to instigate youth and common masses against Indian government.”