Kashmiri Pandits forced to leave their homes: CM
BJP can’t handle Kashmir, only knows how to do dirty politics: Kejri
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday organised the “Jan Aakrosh Rally” at the Jantar Mantar to mark their protest against the recent spurt in targeted killings in Kashmir and slammed the BJP-led Centre for the situation in the Valley.
Scores of protesters, including women and children, gathered at the Jantar Mantar, carrying placards that read “India will not tolerate the killings of Kashmiri Pandits”.
The protesters raised “Bharat Mata ki Jai” slogans and demanded justice for the Kashmiri Pandits. The protesters also maintained a twominute silence to pay tributes to those who lost their lives due to the targeted killings in the valley.
Several AAP leaders, including Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, environment minister Gopal Rai, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and party MLAs, attended the “Jan Aakrosh Rally” and raised anti-BJP slogans.
Addressing the rally, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed that Kashmiri Pandits are being “forced” to leave their homes again, a repeat of what happened in the 1990s.
“The BJP cannot handle Kashmir, it only knows how to do dirty politics. Please do not do politics over Kashmir,” he said.
The AAP national convenor also hit out at Pakistan and accused it of supporting terror activities in Kashmir.
“I challenge Pakistan to drop their evil antics too. Stop with your frivolous and inane tactics. If you think you can take away Kashmir through these ploys I warn you once again,” he said at the rally.
Mr Kejriwal also put four demands before the BJP-led Centre.
The Centre should tell the public about its plan to tackle the situation in Kashmir, cancel the bond signed with Kashmiri Pandits that says they cannot work outside Kashmir, fulfil all their demands and provide them security, he said.
Mr Sisodia also blamed the Centre for its alleged failure in controlling the situation in Kashmir and the targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits.
“Due to the negligence of the BJP’s Central government, bullets are being fired on Kashmiri brothers and sisters today. It has become difficult for them to live in Kashmir in their own homeland. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Kashmiri Pandits,” Mr Sisodia said.
“We have gathered here to warn the Central government that India will not tolerate this massacre of Kashmiri Pandits. Kashmir is burning. As Indians, our heart cries to the pain of our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters. The BJP has made Kashmir a den for its shoddy politics,” Mr Sisodia added.
“What has the BJP done in Kashmir in all these years? In the name of Kashmir, the Assembly there itself was dissolved. In the name of change in Kashmir, they implemented the union territory law there,” he said.