JALANDHAR: Murli Manohar Joshi, BJP president, Sunday called for an end to narrow pol tics with a view to capturing votes.
Addressing a function organized by the Hind Samachar group of newspapers to distribute funds among the relatives of those Killed here Joshi said, the situation in Punjab was the result of economic, political social and international and various other factors. It was a failure on the part of all of us that it could not be prevented.
Joshi said the separatism started in the country after a conference was held in Canada which was ‘attended by representatives of the ‘ULFA, Jharkhand Makti Morcha, Punjab militants and several others. Later meetings were held in different parts of the country where secessionist resolutions were passed.
It was not only a coincidence but design to disintegrate India.
He attributed what was happening in Punjab to narrow political ‘ethos. He said the country was divided in 1947 so that the Congress could come to power. The same game was still continuing. This must be stopped if India was to remain united.
Earlier, Jagjit Singh Anand, Editor of Nawan Zamana, regret ted that the political parties thought of votes first and the country later.
Baldev Prakash, vice-president of the BJP, demanded the deployment of Army and creation of security belt in Punjab, He said although his party was for holding calcitonin Punjab but the process should be started only after the normalcy was restored.
Virendra, president of the Punjab Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, pointed ‘out that there was darkness all round and not a ray of hope was visible in Punjab. How a government which could not save it police could protect its citizens?
Jiwan Singh Umranangal, an Akali leader, urged leaders of the political parties to go to villages to instill confidence among the people.
Sewa Ram Arora (Congress -I) regretted that the human right organizations were condemning police atrocities but did not utter a single word against the Killing of innocent persons.
Lakshmi Kanta Chawla of the Rashtriya Suraksha Samiti, was sorry that nobody felt the pain of Punjabis.
Satpal Dang, a CPI leader, said ‘common guidelines should be issued to police all over the country dealing with militancy. He wanted launching of a joint struggle against militancy.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 11, 1991
