As the problem in Jammu & Kashmir spins out of control, the BJP is making the most of a golden opportunity.
NEW DELHI; As the problem in Jammu & Kashmir spins out of control, the BJP is making the most of a golden opportunity.
Handed on a platter an issue which embodies its plank of national security and integrity, as well as an appeal to Hindutva without necessarily antagonising the minorities, the party that was groping around for a issue till a month ago now intends to derive maximum mileage from the imbroglio.
The movement for land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), although a popular upsurge with involvement of leaders of all mainstream parties, has prominent functionaries of BJP’s mother organisation, RSS, in its leadership. The Sangh Parivar sees in the issue potential of building an Ayodhya-like movement with a wider appeal—directing it not against any community but against anti-nationals.
In the BJP youth wing rally here on the Quit India Day on August 9, BJP leader LK Advani targeted the Congress for buckling to anti-national forces and alleged that “in the Congress party’s perspective there is no place for the just demands and aspirations of Hindus”. He appealed to Muslims to support the issue, saying it was not for only Hindus but for all those who believe in God. The party followed it up with a country-wide three-day “jail bharo” campaign.
BJP leaders are unapologetic about supporting the movement in Jammu but are not very comfortable with questions about the gains to the party from the movement, which they claim are incidental. “What is of concern is the UPA government’s transgression from minority appeasement to separatist appeasement. ‘You should not do this as it will anger separatists,’ it says,” said BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley.
The list of demands of the Sri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti led by RSS functionary Leela Karan Sharma is not limited to land allotment to SASB but includes issues like better representation in assembly and parliament. But the party as well as the RSS seem to have decided to focus on the main demand, for now.
s_rajesh@dnaindia.net
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