Madhopur (Punjab): Asserting it stands for
"one nation one constitution", the BJP on Saturday said the party is
firm in its resolve to scrap article 370 of the Constitution
providing special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
"The party stands for one nation one constitution slogan
given by Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad
Mukherjee," BJP president Nitin Gadkari said here on the
occasion of unveiling of a statue of the late leader.
He said the BJP will not dilute its stand on abrogation
of Article 370 and there is a need to emulate Mukherjee, who
"fought for scrapping of permit system prevalent in those days
which debarred people to enter and move freely in Jammu and
Kashmir".
Gadkari said his party is opposed to the Centre's policy
on Kashmir, which is mere appeasement to those who pose a
threat to the nation, and its mild approach to tackle
Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
Addressing the gathering, he said Pakistan continues to
wage a proxy war against India by sponsoring terrorism in J-K,
while Naxalism is posing an internal threat to the country.
The Centre has not yet come out with adequate measures to
meet these threats. The Government seems to be softening its
stand on Pakistan due to pressure of some foreign powers,
Gadkari alleged.
"Kashmir is an integral issue and no talks with Pakistan
can be resumed unless it gives ample proof of striking hard on
militants operating from its soil.
"Pakistan should stop aiding and abetting terrorism in
India," Gadkari said.
Former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani in his address
said while Vallabh Bhai Patel and Mukherjee had a common
resolve to see a strong India, the British gave independence
but with a rider that the rulers of the erstwhile princely
states could use their discretion on staying with India.
Apparently referring to the "Mumbai for maharashtrians'
issue, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who unveiled the statue, said
Hindus were forced to migrate from Jammu and Kashmir but the
country belongs to all Indians and regional chauvinism does
not hold any place.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was
also present there, said Mukherjee's photographs would be put
up in the gallery here.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, state
BJP president Shanta Kumar, Punjab industry and local bodies
minister Manoranjan Kalia, Amritsar BJP MP, Navjot Singh Sidhu
were among those present on the occasion.
The place where the life-size statue of Mukherjee was
erected was named as 'Ekta Sthal'.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 22:37