Srinagar, Feb 07: Girdhari Lal Raina, former Member of Legislative Council (MLC) and spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir, has issued a strong rebuke to the National Conference (NC) regarding its handling of the complex political landscape in the region, particularly in relation to the plight of Kashmiri Pandits.
He issued a statement in reaction to statements made by NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar regarding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir post-2019.
Raina has called for a comprehensive white paper that addresses the political dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir since 1947, including the emergence of separatist elements, the rise of terrorism as a tool for political leverage, and the forced expulsion of Kashmiri Pandits in 1989 during the NC-Congress alliance’s tenure. “Why limit the discussion to just the return of Kashmiri Pandits post-2019?” Raina asked. “We need a thorough examination of the politics of blackmail and the use of terrorism to achieve political objectives.”
The former MLC referred to the previous accusations against the NC regarding its leniency toward extremist elements in the 1980s. He referred to a white paper published by the Congress government in January 1985, which allegedly detailed the NC’s failure to address the rising tide of extremism. Raina accused the NC of misappropriating funds and mismanaging the security situation, contributing to the onset of violence and instability. “The NC must come clean about its historical failures and its role in fostering an environment that led to the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandit community,” he said.
The BJP leader also cited a Parliamentary discussion from April 30, 1984, which highlighted the increase in terrorist activities and the NC government’s inability to maintain law and order. “This incompetence contributed to the mass displacement of Kashmiri Pandits in the late 1980s,” he said, adding “The chain of events that led to the tragic exodus was a direct result of the NC government’s failure to act decisively against separatist propaganda and violent incidents.”
Raina has demanded an unconditional apology from the NC and its leaders for their “negligence” towards the Kashmiri Pandit community and for allegedly orchestrating a propaganda campaign against former Governor Jagmohan, who he termed as a “protector” of the Kashmiri Pandit minority during a tumultuous period.
