Scholars from all over India deliberated on northern frontier’s security at Jammu University. The intellectual discourse on security and ideology was held to observe Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s martyrdom day on June 23.
BJP president Rajnath Singh said the Hindutva, which is synonymous with Indian spirit or Bharatiyata, is the lifeline of BJP as was espoused by Dr Mookerjee. He said those who analyse that BJP was defeated because of its adherence to Hindutva should reply that whether this election was a referendum on our ideology? He said come what may, in victory or in defeat BJP shall never leave the path of ideological firmness.
In his scintillating speech the firebrand leader of Ladakh, Shri Thupstan Chhewang won the hearts of the audience. His speech was enthralling right from the very first sentence. He said, “Had Dr Mookerjee been around he would have indeed been happy to notice that a Ladakhi Buddhist today is presiding over a function at a venue named after General Zorawar Singh. How fast the history changes. This is one of those occasions when it has changed for the better. This shows the distance we have travelled together in pursuit of our common goal of building a strong nation based on mutual respect.”
The seminar began late because of the university authority’s decision to block and cancel the event stating that the political people were participating in it. In fact, the same university had allowed a Congress Sewa Dal meeting sometimes ago. Though the authorities, after a discussion agreed to the seminar the gates were not opened till nine and the seminar was scheduled to begin at 9.30 am and the stage set up needed at least an hour. Guests were told outside the gate by security persons that the seminar has been cancelled and the power supply was cut off for quite some time.
Shri KPS Gill, while entering the hall asked, ‘Oh the seminar has created a controversy even before it started.’ Shri Tarun Vijay, convener of the programme said, ‘Sir, they wanted us to realise that we are in a different state, a state that has two flags while every other state has one—only tricolour’. Shri Gill smiled and inaugurated the seminar by lighting a lamp before the am portraits of Pt. Prem Nath Dogra and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Little girls, the children of terrorist affected families of Jammu and Kashmir belonging to Ladakh, Doda and other areas, welcomed the guests with Khataks (Ladakhi silken scarf) and a tilak. Mayor of Jammu, Shri Kavindra Gupta presented pictures of Mata Vaishno Devi as souvenirs to the guests and Shri KN Sahani, former Governor, welcomed the guests. Dr Harsh Vardhan, secretary of the foundation gave an introduction of the SPMRF activities.
Prof P Stobdan, senior fellow of the IDSA presented the background note and began the session on Afg-Pak policy. He said, “the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan calls for the review of security environment impacting India’s northern frontiers.
Prof KN Pandita, a noted scholar formerly at Jammu University said the root cause of all the discriminations against Kashmiri Hindus and regions like Jammu and Ladakh is the communal biases of Srinagar’s rulers and Delhi’s secular blinkers.
Prof Narendra Singh, member national executive, ABVP said the real cause of the security threats faced in J&K from within is the continuation of Article 370 and a mindset that discriminates with Jammu and Ladakh on communal basis.
Shri TCA Rangachari spoke about understanding Chinese and its geo-political game plan. He said the progress and the abilities China has achieved is to be understood.
Shri KPS Gill said, “Well, we are here to discuss what should be the strategy for our security for a better future. But the only point occupying the minds of those who govern us and run this country is to find a strategy to make Rahul Gandhi next Prime Minister.” He severely criticised the statement of Shri P Chidambaram who had said in Srinagar that the local J&K police will be given more freedom for security matters in the state after withdrawing central forces. He said its demeaning and demoralising for the security forces who have been shedding their blood to defend national interests and motherland. If at all this plan was to be implemented Home Minister should have discussed it with the Chief Minister and not in the public.
The programme had a historic impact on Jammu and Kashmir. It was for the first time that Shri Mohan Bhagwat after assuming the responsibility of Sarsanghachalak visited Jammu.
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