BJP today demanded Ashok Chakra, the country's highest peacetime military decoration, for the soldiers who killed Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, saying he was a militant who had to die.
"Burhan Wani was a militant who had to die and the security personnel who killed him need commendation. The personnel should be awarded Ashok Chakra," former state BJP president and Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Ashok Khajuria said here today.
BJP's point of view to deal with militancy is clear that the one who picks up a gun to disintegrate the country has to be dealt with an iron fist, he said.
"Our viewpoint is clear, for us it is the message from Bhagwad Gita, BJP viewpoint is clear and we in no way support the policy of appeasement.
"What I am saying is that Burhan wani was a militant and he met the end of a militant and security forces need to be appreciated for the same," Khajuria said.
BJP is a party of workers which does not work for a government. It is a movement which is led by the workers, he said.
"Our mission is guided by the principles laid down by our senior leaders like Syama Prasad Mookerjee and others," Khajuria said.
Protests broke out across Kashmir Valley on July 9, a day after Wani was killed in the encounter.
In the ensuing clashes between protesters and security forces, 49 persons, including two policemen, have been killed and over 5,500 others injured.
"The State Subject Act was enacted by the Maharaja in 1927
to protect the rights of its citizens when J&K was an independent state.
"It was the Maharaja only who had acceded the state with India in 1947 and it was his desire that his state should be a part of Union of India," he said.
He said, "All citizens of J&K are now citizens of India."
Had the Maharaja been alive he would have himself ensured that any law that keeps his state away from rest of the country should be "abrogated", the spokesperson said.
"He would have ensured that these helpless people are given all rights immediately and they would not have to suffer this humiliation for 70 years," he said.
It was surprising and unfortunate that parties which had included this issue in their election manifestos in the past were now opposing the issue of the domicile certificate.
"The statements of Ambika Soni in Jammu and Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal in Srinagar clearly show that the Congress was only exploiting them for narrow political gains and now that their plight is being improved by the present BJP government they have joined hands with the Hurriyat and others to oppose the same," he said.
"Issue of domicile certificate will enable the WP refugees to seek central government jobs including in the armed forces. There will be quota for them in the 5 IRP Battalions being raised under Prime Minister Special Package for J&K," he said.
The contention that it is an attempt to change the state's demography, Gupta said it is not understood as to how it will affect the demography of the state since they have been staying here since 1947.
