The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, 22 June, slammed veteran Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Saifuddin Soz for their statements related to the Jammu and Kashmir issue and demanded that Congress President Rahul Gandhi respond to them immediately. The BJP called their statements “irresponsible, shameful and deeply regrettable”.
Former J&K Chief Minister Azad, in an interview to a TV channel, reportedly said that the Centre has “taken more action against civilians than terrorists.”
They (forces) take more action against civilians than terrorists. For instance, they killed 13 civilians in Pulwama and only one terrorist.Ghulam Nabi Azad to a TV Channel
Azad said BJP's language of “all-out operations” in J&K indicated that a "massacre" was being planned.
Former Union Minister Saifuddin Soz said former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was right that Kashmiris wanted independence over joining Pakistan, reported ANI.
“Irresponsible, Shameful & Deeply Regrettable”
During a press conference on Friday, Union Minister for Information and Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad, called Azad’s statement “irresponsible, shameful and deeply regrettable”. He demanded that the Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi respond to the statement and clarify whether they are ready to take action against Azad.
In J&K, 72 terrorists were killed in 2012, 67 in 2013. In June 2014, we came to power. 110 were killed in 2014, 108 in 2015, 150 in 2016, 217 in 2017 and 75 have been killed till May 2018. So Azad, you can see the difference between your government and ours. The LeT is supporting what the Congress is saying.Ravi Shankar Prasad
He said that Azad’s statement was demeaning to the Army and the security forces who sacrifice their lives for the country.
“Cong Standing With Those Who Want to Divide Country”
Pointing at Lashkar-e-Taiba’s statement reportedly agreeing with Azad’s line of thought, Prasad said:
Congress is now standing with those who want to break the country. What kind of politics is this? Congress wants to divide the country along with these people. This is not the Azad who was the CM of J&K; this is the Azad who has been trained by Rahul Gandhi.Ravi Shankar Prasad
“Congress Will Do Anything For Votes”
Alleging that the Congress under Rahul Gandhi would do anything for votes, he added that the ideologies of the party had worsened after the Gandhi scion took over.
Hatred towards Narendra Modi and the BJP has become the cornerstone of Congress’ working. The ideologies of Congress have worsened ever since Rahul Gandhi has become the party President; they are not bothered about the country.Ravi Shankar Prasad
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