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Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Parliament today that he shared the nation's anger over Hurriyat leader Masarat Alam's release by the J&K govt on Sunday. Clarifying the central government's stand, Modi said that even as it awaits more clarifications from the J&K govt, no compromise will be made on issues related to national security. He also reminded the House that though the BJP is in alliance with the PDP in J&K, the Centre is not consulted on a daily basis.
Taking potshots at the Congress party, which led the Opposition protests on the issue, Modi said that while Opposition parties can advise them on political matters, no one has the right to give them lessons on patriotism.
Speaking before the Prime Minister, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that while Masarat Alam has 27 cases registered against him ranging from attempt to murder, sedition and conspiracy, he has already obtained bail in all these cases. Citing a recent high court order, Singh informed the house that there are several legal restrictions to detain Alam and various options are being looked into. He also said that the government is not happy with the reply received from the state government and that more clarifications have been sought on the issue.
Earlier, the Lok Sabha was briefly adjourned till 11.30 a.m. after opposition parties tore into the BJP led-NDA government over the recent release of Kashmiri separatist leader Masarat Alam.
The session after the Holi break witnessed a huge uproar with vociferous slogans of "PM jawaab do" raised by the opposition leaders.
"If Masarat Alam is released, it raises a question on democracy, this release needs to be stopped," said Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu asked Home Minister Rajnath Singh to make a statement on the issue.
"I will request Home Minister to come and make a statement on this. This is not a party's issue, this is an issue for everyone here and the nation," said Naidu.
Masarat Alam was released from the Baramulla prison following the new Jammu and Kashmir Government's policy to free political prisoners who do not face criminal charges.
Alam is the chairman of Muslim League, a constituent of hard-line Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and is widely seen as the latter's successor.
He had been convicted for organizing anti-India protests resulting in the death of 112 people in stone pelting across the Kashmir Valley in 2010.
Masarat's release has drawn a lot of criticism from several political parties.
