Jammu, May 04: Describing the ongoing elections as an opportunity to demonstrate a preference for peace and transformation through their power of the vote, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devender Singh Rana on Saturday said the people of Kashmir would make their voice louder against any machination to push the valley back to the era of stone-pelting and bandhs promoted by political “actors” for vested interest.
“Politically sagacious people of the valley are within their rights to ask the exploitative leaders why they failed in bringing an end to the nightmarish culture of stone-pelting and bandh during their respective tenures that is a glaring reality of the past over four years now,” Rana said while interacting with deputations and delegations, including Dogra Grameen Brahmin Sabha here.
He said the people are wise enough to judge who promoted regular acts of stone-pelting that did not only cripple the economic activity and academics but resulted in the killing and maiming of hundreds of innocent young people. The people also understand now that the boiling Kashmir was their political investment to rehabilitate the corridors of power, he said, adding, “On the one hand, they played with the sensibilities of the people and on the other they kept bullying New Delhi for furthering their agendas to remain glued to power.”
The BJP leader said that the scenario has changed. As per the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the people of Jammu and Kashmir in general and the valley, in particular, are now forcefully voicing their resolute stance in favour of peace, shunning the tumultuous era of stone pelting and bandhs besides giving a big chance to stability and progress, he said.
Embracing a collective aspiration for tranquillity, Kashmir’s determination to strengthen harmony, prosperity and inclusive development is unwavering, he added.
Rana exuded confidence that the people won’t anymore support the perpetrators of violence, who brought much more stress and strain to them than those brandishing guns to create terror. “In fact, the political actors provided a shield to stone pelters,” he said, adding that “Seeing peace-making all the difference, these self-styled representatives of Kashmiris are dumb-struck as their fake narratives stand exposed.”
Devender Rana said the people have started reading between the lines and relishing the dividends of peace in terms of educational institutions functioning on a regular basis, economic activity gaining momentum and tourism scaling record heights across the valley and in parts of Jammu.
“Seen is believing,” he said while referring to unprecedented enthusiasm among the people in Kashmir, who have opened up their arms to tourists by switching over to homestay culture due to a hundred percent occupancy in hotels and lodges.
The BJP leader also referred to the mega efforts being taken to ensure political empowerment of all sections of society, especially the marginalised and neglected segments, as per the cherished agenda of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vishwas.
“Time has come for the people of Kashmir to put their seal on the peace agenda by rejecting the perpetrators of violence and disruption,” he said.
