Sena hits out at defence minister over violence in Kashmir Valley

MUMBAI: WITHOUT NAMING DEFENCE MINISTER NIRMALA SITHARAMAN, THE BJP ALLY ATTACKED HER AS ‘A WEAK AND INEFFECTIVE, FACELESS PERSONALITY’

Launching a fresh salvo at the Central government against the backdrop of the Jammu and Kashmir violence, the Shiv Sena on Monday asked whether “India really has a Defence Minister?”.

Without naming defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ally attacked her as “a very weak and ineffective, faceless personality who is at the helm, which is detrimental to the country”.

“Our three services chiefs have always assured that the country’s armed forces are forever prepared to tackle any challenges. We have full faith in the capabilities of our armed forces but the leadership is inept,” the Sena said in editorials in the party mouthpieces, Saamana and Dopahar Ka Saamana.

It said terrorists would not have dared to kill rifleman Aurangzeb Mohammed Hanif during the month of Ramzan.

Aurangzeb, a soldier of 4 J-K Light Infantry, was kidnapped by terrorists while he was on his way to meet his family on the occasion of Eid on Thursday. The terrorists tortured and murdered him.

“Aurangzeb’s bravery and sacrifice will inspire the entire country for long... The government must honour the martyrdom ...” the Sena urged.

Terming the violence in the valley in the name of Islam as “shocking”, the Sena said that many other Muslim soldiers like Aurangzeb are dying for the country. “Not only the Muslims, but the Hindus shall be forever proud of them”, as the country remains united because of their martyrdom, said the Sena.

It called upon “those who seek votes in the name of Emperor Aurangzeb in J&K and Maharashtra, to bow their heads in honour Aurangzeb, and offer a special ‘namaaz’ in his memory”.

“We submit to his martyrdom, offer flowers on his grave and cry... Such Aurangzebs must be born in every Muslim home in India...” the Sena concluded.