BJP, Left stick to their stand on AFSPA

NEW DELHI: Back in the Capital after a three-day visit to the Kashmir Valley, BJP and Left members of the all-party delegation reaffirmed their positions on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act ( AFSPA), reflecting the rift in the political class on the issue.

Though there was consensus that a policy had to be formulated to reach out to the common man in J&K, the two parties disagreed on the formula to be adopted for it.

BJP is opposed to any dilution in AFSPA while the Left is demanding its withdrawal, at least selectively. Justifying his party’s stand, BJP leader Arun Jaitley said there was a misconception that AFSPA was meant to protect only the Army since it also extended to forces like CRPF and BSF.

He said once it’s withdrawn, these security forces will have to protect themselves and then Congress Sewa Dal will have to step in to protect the people. “Weakening the security forces will give the separatists an upper hand,” he said.

Recounting his observations during the visit, Mr Jaitley said the government will have to shape its policy to “bring the common man to our side.” He said the government has to be tough in differentiating between separatists and the common man, and separatists and separatism. “Government will have to keep in mind whether the people are alienated from us or the separatists,” he said.

He said when thousands of stones are pelted and the security forces take action to stop violence, an incident triggers a feeling of “Kashmiri victimhood”.

Mr Jaitley advocated that the government take a tough stand on dealing with separatists, saying “whenever the government weakens, the separatists will win the battle of nerves”.

Taking on Congress, he said “till the UPA government does not sincerely accept that Nehruvian thinking on Kashmir was faulty”, it will not be able to tackle the problem.

“Separate status to the state was a journey towards separatism, not integration,” he said, narrating an instance of the closing of a dental college in the state because no outsider wanted to go and teach there.

The spectre of children pelting stones at security forces had leaders of other political parties, including “secular” outfits such as RJD, expressing their disapproval. Rajya Sabha member Rajneeti Prasad, who was part of the all-party delegation, in his meeting with Mirwaiz Umer Farooq is said to have stumped him by asking why he was involving children in his politics.

Meanwhile, the Left reiterated its position that the Centre should talk to “all” sections. “We are prepared to reach out to every section to work out a solution within the Constitution. All matters can be resolved through a dialogue,” said CPM polit bureau member Sitaram Yechury.

Addressing a press conference in the Capital, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta suggested “selective withdrawal” of AFSPA, release of all protesters who have not been slapped with serious charges, creation of a parliamentary committee on Kashmir and an economic package that includes revival of all PSUs in the state.