National Conference on Wednesday lashed out at RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat for his uninformed rhetoric on J&K and said his designs were communal and divisive aimed at creating religious and regional animosity within the State. In a statement issued to KNS, National Conference State Spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu said Mohan Bhagwat was clearly unacquainted with the State’s deep and glorious history of secularism and brotherhood and that any nefarious attempts by the RSS and BJP to spread communal and regional strife in the State would be defeated and exposed. “We don’t need lectures about equity and equality in J&K from those who planned, patronized and lead the communal genocide of Muslims in Jammu in 1947 at a time when the State was seen as the only ray of hope in the subcontinent by virtue of its secular ethos and values. All three regions of the State have the same constitutional rights and political representation and people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have always worked together for the welfare and prosperity of the entire State. Mr. Bhagwat should introspect about the role of his organization in persecuting Muslims and other minorities in the rest of the country instead of maligning the people of J&K”, the NC Spokesperson said in a statement to KNS.
The National Conference Spokesperson expressed disappointment at ruling PDP’s apologetic servitude of the RSS and said this was a major factor why the communal right-wing organization had been emboldened to make such statements about J&K and its people. “While PDP may have sold its soul to the RSS to remain in power, the RSS Chief would be well-advised to know that the resilient and proud people of J&K will never compromise on their dignity and will never allow the integrity and unity of J&K to be toyed with. Jammu Kashmir National Conference will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of the State in defending the State’s honour and political status”, the NC Spokesperson added. “The RSS Chief – as is the case with BJP and all allied right-wing organizations – is clueless about the State’s constitutional history, the legalities of the Special Status and the constitutional provisions that make the State unique. While PDP has allied with the RSS it has decided to turn a blind-eye towards their bellicose and communal rhetoric against the State and that’s where the problem lies. The RSS is standing on the trampled conscience of the PDP to point fingers at the people of J&K and for that both Late Mufti Sahab and Mehbooba Mufti are responsible”, the NC Spokesperson further said.
The NC Spokesperson lashed out at the State Government for their unquestionable political and administrative patronage to armed marches being carried out by RSS in various areas of the State and said this was an alarming trend. “These marches are getting Police Protection at a time when Muharram processions are being showered with teargas shells in Kashmir. There is a clear attempt to harass and intimidate Muslims in various areas of Jammu Province and its tragic that the Chief Minister is a part and parcel of this intimidation exercise. The administration should not violate its constitutional duties and responsibilities and ensure people are not intimidated by the RSS under their protection and patronage”, the NC Spokesperson added. “We are also disappointed at the brute use of force against those few Muharraum processions which managed to march a few paces while unprecedented curbs were put in place in the Valley. Most Muharraum processions and gatherings were disallowed despite assurances by religious groups and elders that these were purely religious gatherings that would remain peaceful. This is another instance where the Mehbooba Mufti Government has exhibited its tyrannical and despotic mindset”, the NC Spokesperson said. (KNS)