Home Minister P Chidambaram came out strongly in support of the Omar Abdullah government’s decision to ‘deport’ BJP senior leaders from Kashmir. The BJP leaders, Arun Jaitley and others, were physically ‘moved’ by the Jammu and Kashmir government yesterday night to Madhopur in Punjab and put up at a rest house.
The BJP leaders were in Kashmir to march to the politically sensitive Lal Chowk in Srinagar and hoist the Indian flat there. The chowk has been a favorite of political groups intent on sending a signal. Various separatists and pro-Pakistan groups have hoisted their own flags in the centre of the chowk at various times.
Chidambaram, however, said BJP had no business trying to stir up political tensions by trying to hoist the Indian flag there.
“There is no justification whatsoever to push a political agenda that will certainly affect peace and law and order in the State of Jammu & Kashmir… The Republic Day is a day of celebration and is not an occasion for divisive politics,” he said in a statement.
“The BJP leaders should respect the orders passed by the State Government. It would be most unfortunate if the BJP leaders defy the restrictions placed by the State Government or deliberately cause a breach of the peace,” he added.
The Government of Jammu & Kashmir has made it clear that it would not allow any yatra to Srinagar; nor would it allow any assembly at Lal Chowk, Srinagar. The State Government has also made it clear that it would not allow the BJP leaders to cross the bridge connecting Madhopur and Lakhanpur and enter Jammu & Kashmir.
“I would request the two Leaders of the Opposition and their colleagues to give up the path of confrontation, return to Delhi and join the celebrations in Delhi on Republic Day,” Chidambaram said.