Amidst raging debate over Article 35-A, which has been challenged by the RSS think tank in the Supreme Court, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today virtually pitched for abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India, granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir saying that in view of this Constitutional provision, some generations of the refugees (West Pakistan) have been going through miserable state.
The RSS chief in his address at Sangh headquarters at Nagpur on the occasion of Dussehra festival, devoted quite a good part of his speech to Jammu and Kashmir saying there is an urgent need to take benefits of development to the State including Jammu and Ladakh regions, without any discrimination and through transparent and clean governance.
The RSS has uploaded entire speech of Mohan Bhagwat, which is being considered as very significant in the context of Jammu and Kashmir on its website. Significantly, Bhagwat started his speech by paying tribute to Kushok Bakula Rinpoche of Ladakh saying this was his birth centenary year.
“The problem of refugees is still not resolved in Jammu and Kashmir. For decades together, some generations are living through this miserable state of refugees for their decision to be in Bharat and remain as a Hindu. Despite being citizens of Bharat, they are still far away from the basic facilities of education, employment and democratic rights, and leading a backward life. This is happening just because the discriminatory provisions in Jammu and Kashmir that denied them the fundamental rights,” Bhagwat said in a direct reference to West Pakistani refugees and Article 370 of the Constitution of India.
Batting for all rights to refugees (West Pakistan), the RSS chief said: “for this necessary, Constitutional amendments will have to be made and old provisions changed. Then and then only, the residents of Jammu Kashmir can be completely assimilated with rest of Bharat and their equal cooperation and share will be possible in the national progress.” This was a clear demand for abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India, which was impediment in granting various rights to the West Pakistani refugees including State Subject, jobs in State Government, voting rights in the Assembly etc.
BJP and RSS for the past several years have been batting for full citizenship rights to West Pakistani refugees in Jammu and Kashmir with facilities at par with all other residents of the State. Abrogation of Article 370 has also been a major demand of BJP and RSS. However, despite BJP being in power, both at Centre and State, the fate of Article 370 as well as West Pakistani refugees also remained the same. The RSS think tank has, however, challenged Article 35-A in the Supreme Court, which defines State Subject law of the State.
Referring to other refugees in Jammu and Kashmir including those hailing from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Kashmiri Pandits, Bhagwat said: “the problems of permanent residents of State who migrated from the Pakistan occupied Jammu-Kashmir in 1947 and the people who were displaced from the Kashmir valley in 1990 are remaining as it is. We have to create conditions so that our these brothers can lead a happy, dignified and secure life like other Indians by availing equal democratic rights and fulfilling democratic duties, even while remaining firm and devoted to their religions and national identity”
The RSS chief also touched discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh regions.
“Still, there is an urgent need to take the benefits of development to the masses in the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir, including Jammu and Ladakh regions, without any discrimination and through transparent and clean governance,” he asserted.
Worthwhile to mention here that during recent visit of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to Jammu and Kashmir, various delegations had pointed out glaring examples of discrimination in recruitment with Jammu region by Public Services Commission (PSC) and Jammu and Kashmir Bank besides many other agencies, development works, tourism etc.
Showering praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, without naming him, Bhagwat said India’s response to the activities of Pakistan on Western front and China on the Northern front, was “strong and determined”, which was visible during the standoff at Doklam at tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan, where troops of both the countries had to withdraw simultaneously.
“This was also victory of the Indian diplomacy,” he remarked and said: “this definitely makes us realize about our strength and at the same time provides new international standing to Bharat”.
Appreciating the armed forces for tackling infiltration by the militants and responding to ceasefire violations from across the border, the RSS chief said the determination with which terrorist infiltration and firing from across the border is being dealt with is appreciated. All security forces, including the Army, have been given the freedom to do their respective duties”.
He also referred to National Investigating Agency (NIA) crackdown on separatists to choke terror funding and hawala operations in Kashmir saying that the provocative actions and propaganda of the separatists has been effectively controlled by curbing their illegal financial sources and exposing their linkages with anti-national terrorist forces.
“The positive effects of this strategy are visible on the ground,” he asserted while patting the Centre Government on this front.
Lavishing praises on the people living in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir for their bravely and persistently holding ground despite incessant cross border firing and terrorist infiltration, Bhagwat said: “in a way, they (the people) are also directly fighting with the anti-national forces. They have to continuously face the insecurity and chaos in their life and livelihood. Besides the relief from Government and administration, different social groups also need to establish contact there and should provide with the facilities as per their ability”.
In this direction, he said, Sangh “Swayamsevaks” have already taken the initiative.
“With the increased thinking and action on those lines, through collective efforts of Government and society, better systems can be in place,” he added.
He referred to the need to take additional efforts in the field of education, health, livelihood and national values is also realised in the Kashmir valley and the remote border areas of Ladakh.
“To attain this goal, the conditions inevitably demands for constructive connect from the society and different programmes for awareness, awakening and reshaping the public mind. To eradicate the poison of alienation and unrest created through the systematic and false propaganda over the years, the society will have to show the natural affection through these positive actions. The path for complete resolution of the issue will be facilitated when the entire society will stand behind the well thought policy of dealing sternly and strongly with the anti-national forces.
“This thought has also become all the more important when a dangerous game is being played by anti-national forces by stimulating the unrest, separatism, violence, enmity or hatred amongst group or local identities on the basis of language, region, sects, religion etc. Especially in the bordering States, attempts of creating atmosphere for disrespecting the Constitutional provisions on these lines are going on”.
On the issue of Rohingyas, Bhagwat said, “We have been facing the problem of illegal Bangladeshi migrants and now Rohingyas have infiltrated into our country.”
“Rohingyas, who were chased away from Myanmar, have infiltrated into the country and many more are ready to migrate illegally. They are being driven out of Myanmar mainly due to their continuous violent and criminal separatists’ activities and links with the terrorist groups,” he said.
Giving shelter to Rohingyas will not only put pressure on our jobs, but also pose a threat to national security, he said.
“Any decision regarding Rohingyas should be taken keeping in mind the threat to national security…Any decision regarding them should be taken keeping in mind that they will definitely be a threat to national security and integrity,” the RSS chief added.
The RSS chief began his speech by paying rich tribute to Kushok Bakula Rinpoche , Swami Vivekananda and his disciple Bhagini Nivedita.
“We have assembled here to celebrate the auspicious occasion of this year’s Vijayadashami. This year is the birth centenary year of Venerable Padmabhushan His Eminence Kushok Bakula Rinpoche. This year is also the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s historic Chicago speech and 150th birth anniversary of his renowned disciple Bhagini Nivedita.
“The Buddhists of entire Himalayan region consider Bakula Rinpoche as the incarnation of Bakul Arhat, one of the Sixteen Arhats of Thathagat Buddha. He has been the most revered Lama of Ladakh in recent times. He played a crucial role in spread of education, social reforms, eradication of social evils and awakening of national consciousness in the Ladakh region. In 1947 when Pakistan army attacked Jammu and Kashmir in the disguise of Kabaili tribes, with his inspiration youth from Ladakh formed the Nubra Brigade and did not allow the aggressors to cross Skardu.
“His remarkable contribution as a member of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, as a Minister in the State Government and as a member of Lok Sabha was always with national perspective. He was the Ambassador of Bharat to Mongolia for 10 long years. During his tenure in Mongolia, his contribution to the successful efforts of the local population to revive the age old Buddhist tradition, after the end of 80 years of Communist rule, was outstanding. For this, he is still being revered in Mongolia. In 2001, he was conferred with the Mongolian Civilian Award “Polar Star”.
He is revered and exemplary for all of us because of his spiritual wealth, unwavering national commitment and incessant selfless work in the public interest. Acharya Bakul manifested the same national vision of Bharat towards global humanity through his personal and social conduct which Swami Vivekananda had declared in his Chicago speech”.
In his speech, he also gave suggestions to the Government on agriculture and economic fronts, observing that farmers were in “pain”.
Taking potshots at some intellectuals, he said they did not find anything about India to be proud of. Bhagwat also called for “decolonisation” of the mind and lauded the Modi Government for its efforts.
“We are independent for the last 70 years but for the first time we are experiencing” it and so is the world that India is rising, he said.
Senior BJP leader L K Advani and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari were present on the occasion. Dalit religious leader Baba Nirmal Das, who was expected to be the chief guest, could not attend the event as he was indisposed. His message was read out at the event.
Referring to the issue of cow vigilantism, Bhagwat said, “It is reprehensible that some some people have been killed allegedly by gaurakshaks.
“At the same time, many people have been killed by cow smugglers,” he said.
Bhagwat said the issue of cow protection is beyond religion and “many Muslims have sacrificed their life for protection of the cow just as people of Bajrang Dal have”.
On the economic situation, the RSS chief said that the interests of small, medium industries and self-employed businesses should be protected as they make the “biggest contribution” to the economy.
He also asked the Government to ensure a minimum support price to farmers to allow them to make enough money to sustain themselves from their produce.
“Our farmer feeds not just his family but the entire nation, is in pain today. He is depressed after facing the onslaught of floods and droughts, export-import policy, meager pricing, mounting loans and losing everything once the crop is ruined,” Bhagwat said.
Though the Government has come out with many schemes, he suggested that efforts should be made to find how they have been implemented on the ground.
