Congress speaking for Kashmir separatists: Prime Minister

CONGRESS DISOWNS: Chidambaram says BJP should have fully read his comments

BENGALURU/NEW DELHI/ SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday tore into the Congress over its leader P Chidambaram’s autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir remark, which he said, was an “insult to our soldiers” and lends voice to separatist forces in the state.

Addressing BJP workers in Bengaluru, Modi accused the Congress of playing politics over the sacrifices of soldiers and asked the party to answer for Chidambaram’s comments. He also linked the remark to last year’s surgical strikes against terror launch pads in Pakistan and said he could imagine why the opposition party had not been able to “digest” the counter-terror action by the Army.

“Thousands of soldiers have sacrificed their lives for Kashmir. They have been making sacrifices for protecting the motherland, to protect the innocent residents of Kashmir. There would not be a state in the country from where brave soldiers have not laid down their lives for Kashmir. And suddenly, those who were in power till yesterday are taking a U-turn today,” Modi said.

“They are lending their voice to those demanding `azadi’. I want to ask the residents of Bengaluru, can such people, who play politics on the sacrifices of the brave soldiers, do good for the country... And they are not feeling ashamed in saying this. Congress party will have to give an answer for this remark,” Modi said.

He said the mothers, sisters and children of those who laid down their lives were seeking an answer from the Congress.

“Should the Congress use the language shamelessly which is used by the separatists in Kashmir,” Modi asked, adding that the language was also used by sympathisers of Pakistan.

“This is land of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and we will not allow any compromise with the unity and integrity of the country.”

BJP should read before criticising: Chidambaram on Sunday said the BJP should have fully read his comments on autonomy for Kashmir before criticising him.

“My answer to question on J&K reported today... The BJP should read before criticizing,” Chidambaram tweeted, posting a link to a news report about his remarks on Saturday at an event in Rajkote.

“The demand in the Kashmir Valley is to respect in letter and spirit Article 370. And that means that they want greater autonomy. My interactions in Jammu and Kashmir led me to the conclusion that when they ask for azadi (independence), most people — I am not saying all — (an) overwhelming majority want autonomy. Therefore, I think we should seriously examine that question and consider on what areas we can give autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir,” Chidambaram said.

While the Congress distanced itself from the comment, senior BJP leaders, including Modi, sharply criticised the former union home minister, saying he was speaking the language of separatists in Kashmir and of Pakistan.

Centre should respect conditions, says Omar: Meanwhile, National Conference’s Working President Omar Abdullah said that the Central government must respect and restore the conditions on which the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India is based.

“Promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be fulfilled. Centre should ensure that the conditions on which the accession of the state to the union of India is based should be restored and respected.

“We want the present uncertainty, bloodshed and violence to end. We want to live with honour and dignity,” he said at a convention of NC leaders and delegates in Srinagar, where his father and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah was unanimously re-elected party president.