NEW DELHI: The BJP president Dr. Murli Manohar Jos Tuesday criticized the Union Home Minister S.B. Chavan for his statement that it was not the responsibility of the Home Minister to provide security to anyone and that his ministry’s job was to maintain law and order in the country.

Addressing a press conference here Tuesday the BIP president however hastened to add that his observations did not mean that he was asking the Center to provide special security” to him during his journey to Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

Reiterating his determination to 0 to Srinagar despite repeated militant threats and warnings from the government about various risks involved the BJP leader said he was going there to underline the fact that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and the nation was behind Kashmiri Hindus who had been forced to migrate from the valley.

Law and order was a state subject. Since Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab were under Presidents rule the Home Minister could claim to be responsible for law and order in these states. Chavan was however certainly unaware of his responsibilities. Dr-Joshi wondered whether Chavans job was only to point out the problems as the Home Minister had recently claimed.

The “ekta yatra” Dr. Joshi insisted was not against any community religion or group as being projected by certain vested interests. Its aim was to underline national unity. He was mobilizing people against secessionism and militancy. Even tribal children who had turned up to greet his yatra” had understood the significance of the demand that Article 370 should be abrogated. It was painful that only the rulers in Delhi and self-centered politicians were unaware of it significances.

“Terrorism posed a threat to democracy all over the world. He was pleased to note that the Security Council would be meeting later this month to discuss terror ism and that P.V.Narasimha Rao had been specially invited to take part in the meeting. Dr. Joshiurged the Prime Minister to raise the issue of Pakistan’s support to terrorism in Kashmir and Punjab and persuade the Security Council to deplore it last person to comment on its coverage of the “yatra”.

“The BJP President ridiculed a Congress (I) leader MJ. Akbar for organizing a seminar on “Gandhi and Godse” at Bombay to oppose the “yatra” He would welcome Akar’s efforts to educate people on his party’s stand on Article 370.

Akbar’s claim on organizing seminars during the “yatra” to counter its influence had remained an empty boast.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 31, 1992